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Teen killed in crash had been drinking
Blood-alcohol level was 0.18, investigators say
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The Newbury Park High School junior who was killed last month in a single-vehicle rollover crash while driving in Malibu had a blood-alcohol content of 0.18, more than double the level necessary for a drunken driving conviction, investigators said Wednesday.
Autopsy results on Cody James Murphy, 17, also showed that he had been smoking marijuana in the hours before the car he was driving with four friends inside cartwheeled down Pacific Coast Highway west of Trancas Canyon about 10 p.m. April 9.
Murphy and his friends had gone to Hollywood and Santa Monica, and between them had finished off a large bottle of Jägermeister, a peppermint liqueur.
Los Angeles Sheriff's Sgt. Philip Brooks said most teenagers would pass out at that 0.18 blood-alcohol level.
"Marijuana had been used by the victim, but that was several hours earlier, and it does not appear that was a factor in the crash," Brooks said.
A 17-year-old girl in the back seat, who received what were described as severe brain injuries, was released from UCLA Medical Center earlier this month. Brooks said doctors have told sheriff's investigators the girl "has no lasting or permanent damage other than a scar on her skull." The girl's name has not been released.
Witnesses said the girl hit her head against the car door repeatedly as the car, which investigators said was traveling at 90 mph, went up an embankment and rolled end over end.
Two other juvenile boys in the back seat both broke their hips.
A front-seat passenger escaped with a cut head. Only he and Murphy had been wearing seat belts.
Brooks said the case is closed.
"There is no way to prove who furnished the alcohol or marijuana to the driver," he said.
At Newbury Park High School, junior and senior students had an assembly about unsafe driving before last week's prom, said Principal Athol Wong.
"We had to find a balance between being understandably sad about Cody's death, the lives of four others who were shattered emotionally and physically, and those of us who are still here.
"We asked, what are we going to do about this?" Wong said.
A Ventura County Sheriff's Department deputy who works at the school told students what it is like to knock on a door at 2 a.m. with bad news for parents.
"There were 1,200 juniors and seniors inside our gym, and you could have heard a pin drop," Wong said.
The school's prom, held last weekend at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, was the first in Wong's memory where no students were found inebriated or in possession of alcohol, she said.
Brooks, a Conejo Valley resident and the longtime traffic office head at the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station, noted that graduation and prom season is an especially hazardous time for teen drinking and crashes.
"Parents need to be aware there is a strong possibility their children may either consume alcohol or be with other kids who do," Brooks said.
"Children should have a complete understanding that they are not to get into a car under those conditions, and parents should have a contract that they will come and pick up the teen if the circumstances warrant it, no questions asked," he said.
Posted by sunnbear on May 15, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought this was the kid who would never drink or do drugs. What a kind, considerate person who always thinks of others. What a load of BS! Too drunk to walk...let alone drive.
Posted by juniormafia_ny on May 15, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
kind of sad, kind of not. if you do something stupid and get hurt or killed while doing it, isn't it your own fault? this kid, isn't even old enough to drink! let alone drink and drive...
Posted by MOffermann on May 15, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is why parents are told to talk to their kids about drugs and alcohol. . no one is invincible, and this kid just proved it.
Posted by tanknows on May 15, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ms. Wong...Please don't brush this incident under the rug behind a mis-statement of fact. "No students found inebriated or in possession of alcohol" at the prom last weekend at the Ronald Reagan Library. My kids limousine was held up for about 5 minutes while some girl was loosing her dinner (blowing chunks, vomiting what have you) in front of the library till she was finally whisked away by Security, three sheets into the wind. Better check your facts. And quit being so naive. This is a huge problem.
Posted by rebel123 on May 15, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sunnbear: my guess is that all in the car were in the same state. They are all just as culpable for getting into the car under the influence. The driver's mistake was fatal. It doesn't mean he was a bad kid and I'm quite sure he was all the good things his friends say he was. He made a very, very poor choice to drive home drunk. Let's just hope other young people can take this to heart and learn from his mistake.
Posted by RedTail on May 15, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree rebel123 that all in the car were responsible that night. Thankfully no one else in the car was killed. And thankfully no other cars were involved.
Posted by sstflyer on May 15, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So, what else is new? At least no innocents were killed or hurt.
Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on May 15, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Very sad, what a waste.
Posted by CatInAHat on May 15, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OK here come the civil suits. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy, if your son was driving a car registered to you, I hope that your insurance is in order and that you have homesteaded your home.
Posted by FedUp on May 15, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
he was driving a friends car. his parents will not be handed a civil suit. he was probably the most sober of the group. or at least that is what they had all thought.
sad and tragic. I wonder if anyone who commented about how he was not a drinker are going to be posting back on this story now?
Posted by FedUp on May 15, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
he was driving a friends car. his parents will not be handed a civil suit. he was probably the most sober of the group. or at least that is what they had all thought.
sad and tragic. I wonder if anyone who commented about how he was not a drinker are going to be posting back on this story now?
Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 15, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a very sad story. And I do hope others think about it and get a designated driver when they insist on getting in a car after they have all been drinking. Back in the days..........I was always the driver due to the fact I didn't drink.
None of these kids expected this to happen. And I pray and leave Condolences to the family and friends of all. Parents do need to talk to thier children about drinking and driving or getting into a car with someone who has. This is such a tragic story...........
Posted by Ms_California on May 15, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Being a parent of a 16 yr old, I am terrified that something may happen like this. I have always said that if you are out drinking or your ride has been, call me and I will come get you and any others with NO QUESTIONS asked! She doesn't go out much anyway but if she did that is our deal. I hope she takes me up on that offer if she is ever put in that situation. I only wish these kids were trusting enough in their parents to have made that call.
Posted by DrcGrl on May 15, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Most teenagers when you try to talk to them about drinking and driving, they respond with "I know, I know". How do you deal with that scenario? Allot of kids are scared to death of their parents and what will happen to them if the parents find out. Then, unfortunately, the worse happens because they don't feel they can call their parents for a ride.
Posted by Adam_Monroe on May 15, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to see all of the people that were defending Cody and his actions come on here and respond to this article. Perhaps the Star has printed misinformation? Maybe the County Medical Examiner is a liar? Please, either enlighten us or eat your crow.
Yes this was a tragedy, but a totally avoidable one. If the incredibly poor judgment and stupid choices of that evening are minimized or swept under the rug, then Cody will have lived and died in vain.
Posted by Ms_California on May 15, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DrcGrl, you just have to gain their trust and be there for them if they need you and hope they trust enough in you to actually believe it when they say "I know".
Posted by justareader on May 15, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Though many of us deem ourselves to not be in denial - sometimes we just don't know. We raise our kids as they grow up...and they do just that - they grow up. I have great relationships with my sons, but I'll bet $100 bucks they do or say things they don't let me know about because they know I'd be dissappointed. (and my 'spies' can't see or hear everything...) Every child has secrets from their parents. It's just unfortunate that some are bigger than others and make a greater negative impact.
My condolences to the family and may you find peace with the circumstances surrounding Cody's death.
God Bless.
Posted by daugtherofimmigrant on May 15, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DrcGrl - I have a 15 year old and I like most parents talk to my daughter about everything, and it is true she responds with "I know mom, I know, you have told me a million times". But believe me they are listening to you, key is don't let them walk away while you are talking to them. I have found that lectures will never work, they are to "parenty" like my daughter likes to put it. Instead we discuss what is going on in the world and how or what we would do different. When I read this first article I came home and told my daughter about it. She felt really bad, and I told her that I would just die if something like that happened to her or her friends. The best words came out of her mouth. She said "mom, every time I feel like I am doing something wrong, I hear our conversations in my head, and I am more afraid of causing you any sort of pain than the kind of pain I can do to myself". That is music to my ears. She has also said that she doesn't think she would ever put herself in a situation like that because what can be worse than death? She can be grounded for life, like I have threatened her, or be dead, she would much rather be grounded for life. She knows "grounded for life" most likely means about a 1 week. Believe me kids want to be told what is right from wrong. They do want our guidance, we just need to have conversations instead of lectures. Kids can't play us for fools come on we were their age once. We know what kids do, and to those parents who say "I always knew where my kids were" oh please, you were just lucky nothing ever happened, and they are lucky they never got caught. If those kind of kids excisted then that would be your perfect child. They are only perfect during their sleep.
Posted by Kreemac70 on May 15, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
xrtech24
"The only positive here is I didn't get hurt...Thank goodness"
Seriously think you have deep seeded issues.
You think you are: PERFECT
My opinion:
You are selfish, arrogant, clueless, and inconsiderate. Get back to work and stop posting on boards where you are clearly just begging for attention.
Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on May 15, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kreemac70
Trust me! We are ALL glad that we weren't killed at the hands of this drunk. This is reality! TWICE the legal limit, at the point of passing out???? He could have mowed over ANY ONE OF US! Thank gaud the rest of the people in the car weren't killed, but broken hips, please, how do you think there prom was? Oh yeah they were drinking too, who cares!
Posted by Now on May 15, 2008 at 6:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The story also stated the lone girl passenger "has no lasting or permanent damage other than a scar on her skull."
Good news which leads me to this thought:
How about ALL driver-aged teens take a stroll through a brain injury rehab center where they can see people trying to learn how to tie their shoes or pick up a fork let alone navigate through life in normal manner without needing to wear a bib.
Drunken idiots.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 15, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Adam_Monroe , I agree with parts of your comment, BUT it wasn't just Cody who made a bad decision it was all of those in the vehicle. I pray he didn't die in vain. And hopefully this will open other teens eyes as to what can happen if they are drinking and driving............
daugtherofimmigrant ,EXCELLENT COMMENT!!!!!!!!
Honestly I think it would be great if at the time they are eligible for even a permit they have to sit down and watch a movie. Real Pictures of kids that were killed while drinking and driving... and the cars. Also show people that have been injured or killed by a drunk driver. I would much rather them see a movie such as this then take a chance without thinking about the outcome.
Posted by sparks240 on May 15, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This guy had a .18 blood-alcohol level. He was either an alcoholic or had an unusual tolerance to alcohol. I suspect this was not the first time he got wasted and drove a car.
Posted by Serenevey on May 16, 2008 at 12:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The worst part about all of this is they do show us those pictures. They do the assemblies and these idiot people DO know the consequences but it's fun at the time so they roll with it. Now I'm not defending them, that's the last thing I want to do, but I hate how everyone thinks that kids are the only ones who pull stunts like these. True enough there are many but what about adults? What image to you give your kids when you go out to dinner and have a glass of wine and say "Oh, I'm fine to drive, it's just down the street." What about the adults who have a glass and then strap their baby into the carseat and drive off with their mobiles on their ear? I suggest not pinpointing a particular group in regards to incidents like these. It's everyone. Anyone who drinks (or does whatever) and gets behind the wheel should be flogged. You deserve whatever punishment you get for inflicting your idiocy on others. All of you involved should be ashamed. Next time think about that small, happy, loving child you drove by who's life you could have ended from doing what you did. I'm but a few years your senior and I know damn well better.
Posted by daugtherofimmigrant on May 16, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Serenevey - Speaking for myself, I don't think that we believe that only kids are pulling these kinds of stunts like you put it, (I personally see it as a crime), I think we who were commenting on this article were concentrating on what the article is about, kids and DUI. If you go back and look at the article that was written about a 15 year old kid that was killed by a drunk driver a week ago or so, you will find comments by most people who commented to this case just as frustated or even more about an innocent child killed by an adult who chose to drink and drive. I have heard of Drunk Drivers taken to morgues to see the results of what drunk driving does. I don't know what else can be done, but it begins at home talking with our kids and hopefully our kids will grow up and become responsible adults. Hopefully we will never chose to take that glass of wine and drive home, because then how do you turn around and tell your kids not to do what you did and expect them to listen. Believe me I think we are all just as frustrated as you by any drunk driver, no matter the age.
Posted by caskier on May 16, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It surprises me that the investigation is closed. There was medical marijuana container in the vehicle. Who did it belong to? What do you mean you can't tell who sold them the Jaegermeister? Sounds like the detectives need to do more work here instead of saying 'case closed'.
And by the way, the owner of the car and Cody's parents should and will be sued. Both are liable. There will be suits and cross-lawsuits. To all the parents of teens out there, this would be a good time to ask yourself if you carry enough auto liability insurance so that you can continue to sleep in your home each night should your teen do something unpredictable or unfortunate.
Posted by moorparkman2000 on May 16, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank God the one who was drinking and endangering everyone on the road was the one who got killed as a pose to an innocent driver...trust me, if he had killed someone else, he would be demonized, not extolled.
This is truly sad; my heart goes out to the family. DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!!!
Posted by TheVeracious1 on May 18, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Caskier -
Since the DA now believes that 14 year olds need to be held accountable for their decisions and actions, he probably feels that since these kids were old enough to know right from wrong, that they just all made a very sad and tragic decision that night.
It's not like anyone forced them against their will, do drink and drive. They made a decision, and I think its safe to assume they had been told and warned about the dangers many times over a number of years.
Creating a crime out of a sad tragedy and going on a witch-hunt to find SOMEONE or ANYONE to blame is wrong and it competely misses the point and lessons that need to be learned here. The ONLY thing that could have EVER EVER prevented this would have these kids making better decisions.
Their fate was in their hands, not anyone elses. Kids and parents need to understand this to keep them safe.
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