Joyriding teens blamed for violent Venice wreck

VENICE (FOX 13) - Rick Klass couldn't believe his eyes after he witnessed a horrific crash on the U.S. 41 bypass in Venice outside the Regency Square plaza. 

"It just sounded like a train crash.  I looked out the front and there was just this huge plume of dirt in the air," he said. "It was smooshed. The whole front passenger and driver side was just caved in.”

Inside that car was 61-year-old Mona Quinn of Osprey.  She was heading north along U.S. 41 when the crash happened. 

Troopers said a speeding white Ford Expedition going south hit a curb, went airborne and overturned. Eventually it landed on top of Quinn's car. 

"I was pretty distraught. I thought I witnessed something horrible," continued Klass. 

Troopers said the SUV responsible had three teenagers inside.  They ranged in age from 13 to 16. The 16-year-old driver was ejected and another teenager tried to run.  

The SUV they were driving was reported stolen to Sarasota County deputies last week. 

"To do that and just be so careless with other's people's lives is just sickening," offered Klass. 

Before the crash, witnesses reported the SUV doing donuts and driving recklessly.  Troopers said the teens hit a car and boat trailer before speeding off and wrecking.  

Four lives are now on hold -- all for a joyride with a stolen vehicle. 

"Something has got to be done. Start stiffening the laws. All these little slaps on the wrists for everything that everyone is doing is not making society better," said Klass. 

Troopers and deputies are still investigating.  Charges are pending for the crash and more could be filed soon.