I know that 17 year olds , and for that matter 16, 15, 14, are going to do what they wish when out of sight. They surely knew the rules. They were good boys, just going to practice piling into a car.
Lets hope that the best that comes out of this is more restrictions on watching the kids, and others to understand why the rules exist. Let the families grieve without the stone throwing, but let the lessons be learned to avoid any further horrific accidents. Rest in Peace guys. Gone way, way too soon.

I am so sorry for your loss.  My prayers go out to you.  I am sure they were all good boys and brought much love and happiness to their families.  God Bless Them !!
Marcella B.

I don't understand all the questioning or finger pointing - it's so easy for someone to say should have could have would haves... Lets keep in mind this was a tragedy lives were lost and can not be replaced... We were all 17 at one time and we think we're invincible, they weren't thinking it's part of growing up and unfairly they will not be able to learn from their misstakes. I just wish some of the people that comment about this story would realize that each one of those boys had a family who is deeply hurting right now and if it was your child you wouldn't want to hear about who was in the wrong - obviously pointing out the wrongs will not bring back their children, friends, and family members.

I am deeply sorry to those families and send my heart and prayers goes out to each and everyone of you -

I don't understand all the questioning or finger pointing - it's so easy for someone to say should have could have would haves... Lets keep in mind this was a tragedy lives were lost and can not be replaced... We were all 17 at one time and we think we're invincible, they weren't thinking it's part of growing up and unfairly they will not be able to learn from their misstakes. I just wish some of the people that comment about this story would realize that each one of those boys had a family who is deeply hurting right now and if it was your child you wouldn't want to hear about who was in the wrong - obviously pointing out the wrongs will not bring back their children, friends, and family members.

I am deeply sorry to those families and send my heart and prayers goes out to each and everyone of you -

I feel sorry for the driver of the Pontiac who hit one of the kids. 

SUVs (see the accident that killed 3 women in NC returning to NYC) are top heavy and do not grip the road as well as a sedan especially when you are making a quick stop or swerve.  You learn that from experience. 17 y/os are not experienced drivers.  That's the bottom line. 

This is a truly teachable moment as someone suggested -- seatbelts, proper speed for the circumstances, not overpacking a car (if that is the case here) and respecting the vehicle as a machine. 

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Now is not the time!

Let's forget for a second how many kids were in the car..let's forget why they were even ON a highway when the local roads would have taken them to that Mays Landing Buffet in the same amount of time (possibly less) . Let's even forget WHY an inexperienced driver would have that many kids IN the car ON a highway on the weekend (when most of the local drivers in this area avoid the Garden State Parkway AND the Atlantic City Expressway on the weekends during the summer)...there is BLIND RISE at that point in the GS Parkway (Southbound) that is to say..a crest of a hill that prevents a driver (even travelling safely at highway speed) from seeing what is BEYOND that rise...even experienced drivers have been "surprised" by a sudden backup of traffic (for a half mile up the parkway) as it merges with the HUGE disgorgement of traffic from the only other major highway in the area (the AC  Expressway) and ALL it's shorebound traffic.

The kid probably attempted VALIENTLY to avoid hitting the jam of other cars and headed for the ramp (look at the pictures) to get on his (West AC Expressway) route to the buffet in Mays Landing..the road slopes down towards the AC Expressway as it crosses the Parkway (look at the pictures)...there needs to be a sign (NJ Turnpike style) at the top of that crest WARNING drivers of possible jams just beyond the crest!!!! Especially in the summer. The Parkway is NOT the casual road it once was..not even down here at the south end of the state...NJ Turnpike style information signs (about forest fires..fog..accidents..etc.) need installation!

There ARE information signs like the turnpike being installed.

8 teens in a 2002 Ford Explorer, most not wearing seat belts!?  So not one adult noticed that small fact?  Stupid....

Do Explorers even have 8 seatbelts?

Third row seating.

The distance between the school and the destination is relatively short, and you'd think the kids driving would know all the roads.  And all we know is that two people were not wearing seatbelts (those who were ejected). 

I hate to say it, but this is gonna end in a bunch of lawsuits for Mainland.
Coach, school, driver's family, Pontiac driver who hit the ejected kid...

Well, this is America. Somewhere between Denial and Acceptance there's now a stage of grief called Lawsuits.

Where were the seatbelts? This is a teachable moment for parents everywhere.

BTW, between this and the Somers Point Bridal Store story, are we missing Phillyist yet?  Yeah, neither am I.  Why was the content of Phillyist so horrific compared to Gothamist?

Editorial focus. Phillyist seemed to be less news-based and more event-based, with the utterly dull 'recurring features' sprinkled in. It's not that there was less news in Philly, just less "reporting" of the news.

When your major blog entries are those fluff stories, there's a lot less to comment on, too....and let's face it, the stories are what pull you in, but the commenting is what brings you back.

I'd love to see a Phillyist reboot with more of a Delaware Valley news focus.

I agree with this 100 percent. 

It's a really sad story, especially one the coach is gonna be questioned about, because they were going to a team function, and he had all those kids in the car.

My only question, as I'm familiar with the area - Mainland is in Linwood.  Their destination was in Mays Landing.  So why were they on the Parkway *south*?

They were done practice..they were on their way to old country buffet in mays landing..