Calif. Teen Charged with Manslaughter; Two Teens Riding in Trunk of Car Killed

Manslaughter charges were filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office last week against a 17-year-old San Dimas driver in connection with the deaths of two 15-year-old passengers in the trunk of his packed car when it crashed in Glendora earlier this month.

Deputy District Attorney Steve Weiss said the minor, whose name was not released, was charged with two counts of manslaughter without gross negligence and one count of driving without a license. All three charges are misdemeanors.

The minor (dob 7-22-87) was scheduled to appear in Pomona Juvenile Court last Friday for arraignment on case No. KJ26914. He was arrested by Glendora police and remained in juvenile custody.

Authorities said Scott Allen Atchison and Christopher Snyder got into the trunk of the minor’s car, which carried four other boys, on May 4. Both teens attended Glendora High School.

The minor’s car crashed around 3 p.m. on Route 66 near Compromise Line Road in Glendora, authorities said. The boys in the trunk were thrown out into oncoming traffic and killed. The other five boys in the car, including the driver, suffered minor injuries. They were not hospitalized.

If the charges against the minor are sustained, his sentence could range from a probationary term to incarceration by the California Youth Authority.