A 15-year old girl is facing charges related to the death of another teen after stealing a van from a Tompkins County children’s agency back in December.
State Police say, on December 28, she and three other teenage girls stole the van from the William George Agency in Freeville in an escape attempt.
While driving in the Town of Cortlandville around 10:15p, a sheriff’s deputy attempted to pull the van over after witnessing it run a red light at the intersection of State Route 281 and West Main Street. The van would not stop and both vehicles crashed after failing to negotiate a turn onto the I-81 ramp in Homer.
One passenger, 16-year old Salena Wallner died at the scene. The driver and two other passengers, ages 15 and 16, were taken to Upstate Medical Center with serious injuries while the deputy was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
The teenager has been charged with criminally negligent homicide and two counts of Assault for driving the stolen van.
