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HANOVER TWP. — The vehicle involved in the crash that killed a Wyoming Valley West student last weekend was driven by a 17-year-old girl without a valid license, authorities report.
Jasmine Cardona, 16, of Plymouth, was ejected from the 2007 Mercury Mariner and later died at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.
Besides Cardona and the driver from Wilkes-Barre, who police haven’t named, there were four other teenagers in the car, officers reported.
The vehicle was traveling south on South Main Street, in the area of Strand Street, at about 11 p.m. Saturday when it crossed into the northbound lane, struck and broke a PPL utility pole and came to rest in an open field.
Initial reports stated a total of four girls were in the SUV.
But information released Wednesday by police said besides Cardona, the passengers included a 16-year-old Wilkes-Barre girl, a 16-year-old Plymouth girl, a 17-year-old Wilkes-Barre boy and an 18-year-old Wilkes-Barre male.
The three surviving females required medical treatment but the two males left the accident before emergency personnel arrived.
Police said they did not speak to the two boys for “several days,” but both were injured and had to get medical treatment.
Police found no indication drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, but they stress an investigation is ongoing and criminal charges are possible.
Anyone who witnessed the wreck should call Hanover Township police at 570-825-1254.
According to Cardona’s obituary, which can be found on page 5A, her funeral will be Saturday at S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home in Plymouth with a Mass of Christian Burial in All Saints Parish in Plymouth.