Originally Posted by BbyG35

As posted in other threads, it is common knowledge within the psych world that the male teenage brain goes through a re-wiring process that starts around age 14 and isn't complete till as late as 21. During this time the actions and consequences reasoning is disrupted. This combined with disconnected parents who choose not to act when they see behaviour going wrong leads to the incidents we are seeing... not only now but if you think back to when you were a teen, equally stupid/reckless things were happening (quite possibly by yourself)

Originally Posted by BbyG35

Sadly in this instance someone innocent was killed and without a doubt, these kids lives will be affected. Hopefully once they have served out their punishment, they will move in positive way instead of becoming another prison statistic.

Originally Posted by EEYORE

I kind of disagree with this... I guess we forget that proper parenting has a very big part of how kids conduct themselves.

Originally Posted by EEYORE

If it were for proper parenting then we would have good kids, if not then bad kids. We tend to impose/enforce/imply rules of good behaviour and punish/reprimand the bad. Lifestyle is a factor where trendy people shop at certain places where most people would not and certainly would have the "nice" things in life most people would not take advantage of.

Originally Posted by EEYORE

Yes their lives will have changed forever, but here is the kicker. The parents are very well off considering their kids go to a college that's 35Gs a year alone and they drive their daddy's S or E Mercedes around. The person killed in the accident who supports a family and tries to make ends meet by cabbing and not probably nearly earning enough, what happens to the family?? How are they going to survive without father/husband they love and rely on??

I would make both parents of the kids support the victim's family for life, if you asked me. Either that or a long drawn out caining Singapore style.

Originally Posted by akrus

First off, I'd like to say that my following statements are in no way condoning street racing, making light of the situation or making excuses for this tragic incident.

Being a 38 year old male that has been around cars and motorcycles all my life, I can understand how the two 18 year olds got into this situation. I'm sure that they never intended for things to go wrong - it's just how it ended up. One thing that I think we need to remember, is that none of us were there. We are getting a possibly sensationalized account from the media. I had a friend that was once involved in a horrific car accident that made the papers and I can tell you, it did not occur the way the media portrayed it.

These two kids made a mistake that they will forever remember. They will surely have nightmares and their lives have taken a path that no one, not even their best friend's could have ever predicted. This incident will surely affect everyone that knows them. Not in the same way as the family of the cabby, but affected forever they will be, none the less.

I truly feel sorry for everyone involved, from the family of the cabby, to the two 18 year olds to the men and women of the Toronto Police, Fire and EMS that have to attend these incidents. None of us are perfect and occasionally we make mistakes. I just can't help but feel that we can't convict before knowing all the facts.

Be safe, everyone.