16 Teens Inside Rolled Over SUV

Passengers were 13 to 17 years old

Sixteen teenagers, not 13 as originally reported by officials, were inside an SUV when it crashed in La Jolla Saturday night, according to San Diego police.

Police said five of the 16 teens were taken to the hospital, including one with a broken leg. None of the injuries were life-threatening.

The passengers ranged in age from 13 to 17, according to police.

The accident happened around 8:15 p.m. on Muirlands Vista Way as the teens were driving from a party. The driver of the Ford Expedition lost control around a curve in the road, and the SUV rolled onto its roof.

Bill Fitzmaurice saw the accident while driving home. He called 911 and helped one of the teenagers tend to the injured.

"He carried one of the victims out of the car and put her gently on the lawn," Fitzmaurice said. "It was pretty horrific."

The SUV is only designed to seat seven people. Traffic detectives believe the vehicle may have rolled over because there was too much weight inside. On Wednesday, officials confirmed there were a total of 16 teens inside the car at the time of the crash.

“The message is only put as many passengers as you have seat belts, number one,” said San Diego Police Officer Mariusz Czas. “Number two, if you have a provisional driver's license, you're not supposed to carry passengers at certain points.”

According to police, no one was cited, and the driver is not suspected of DUI. NBC 7 San Diego cameras did capture a beer can in the wreckage.

Officials have confirmed that the driver only had a provisional license.
 

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