Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Teen Driver Who Killed 4 Friends In Crash Shouldn't Have Been Driving, Say Cops
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 10, 2012
Modified Oct 10, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 10, 2012
Modified Oct 10, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
As four families plan to bury their young sons, police are continuing the investigation of the fatal crash that claimed their lives early Monday morning. The only survivor was the driver, 17-year-old Joseph Beer who only had a learner's permit, and now state police are confirming that Beer shouldn't have been driving his high school graduation present at all. And one source says the car smelled like pot.
Around 3:45 a.m., Beer was driving westbound on the Southern State Parkway when he lost control on a stretch between exits 17 and 18 in Malverne, a treacherous part known as "Blood Alley." His new Subaru Impreza went flying into the woods and was sheared in half. Darian Ramnarine, 18, Christopher Khan, 18, Peter Kanhai, 18, and Neal Rajapa, 17, were thrown from the car and died.
The police are hoping to expedite toxicology tests, and a Post source says, "We believe it was pot, and we are awaiting test results... Responders to the crash noticed an odor of marijuana to the vehicle." The source added that the Subaru had "a souped-up, speed-enhancement package."
However, Newsday reported that Lakeview Fire Chief Heather Senti said, "The only smell that we had, that we could detect was the fuel smell coming out of the vehicle. I did not smell any type of narcotic coming out of the vehicle." As the investigation is ongoing, no charges have been filed against Beer, who is recovering in a hospital.
NY State DMV rules say that drivers with learner's permits may not drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., may not have any passengers under 21 who are not family members, and may not drive without a licensed driver at least 21 years of age. The teens were all friends in Richmond Hill, Queens.
Khan's uncle raged to the Post, "I have a little sympathy for them but you know, they should know better... Buying their son who just has a permit a car? Come on, all parents think twice about doing something like that. Every parent would think twice about doing something like that because the kid is only 17-years old, just have a permit. How can you go and buy a car for him?… I wouldn't do that for my kid I make sure my kid have a license."
Tagged
crash
fatal crash
Joseph Beer
Learner's Permit
long island
Southern State Parkway
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
16 arrested in New York auto insurance fraud crackdown involving nearly $500K
State officials say the cases include staged crashes and fraudulent medical claims, with seven arrests in the Bronx alone.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 6:34 p.m. ET
Coney Island's small, 1890s lighthouse may be landmarked by the city
It's in the private community of Sea Gate. Family members of the lighthouse's last civilian keeper are keeping its history alive.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
Coney Island's small, 1890s lighthouse may be landmarked by the city
It's in the private community of Sea Gate. Family members of the lighthouse's last civilian keeper are keeping its history alive.
By
Catalina Gonella
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
By
Willow Higgins
Inside Luigi Mangione's legal strategy before his federal guilty plea
By
Samantha Max
NYC proposes crackdown down on AI customer service chatbots
By
Arya Sundaram
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .