A Montgomery County teenager is accused of killing an elderly woman after attempting a dangerous stunt with his car.
The 17-year-old tried to drift his car while speeding nearly 80 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone on October 12, according to police.
Investigators say that the teen pulled on his car’s emergency brake, made a sharp left onto Reed Street in Willow Grove and lost control, slamming into 81-year-old Zita Egitto.
Drifting is a driving technique where a car slides at an angle in the direction of the turn. It’s been depicted in numerous Hollywood movies, most notably “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.”
“Here we have teenagers who want the thrill of driving fast,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman. “They want to act like their favorite movie characters and they’re doing it to deadly consequence.”
Zita was a mother, grandmother and avid church volunteer.
“Our entire family is devastated,” said Zita’s son Frank. “This shouldn’t happen to anybody. And you would never expect it to happen to someone you know and love.”
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The teen has been charged with homicide by vehicle, reckless driving and speeding. He is being prosecuted as a juvenile.
