Police: 14-Year-Old Killed While Driving Car
Police: 14-Year-Old Killed While Driving Car Save Email Print
Posted: 9:41 PM May 11, 2008
 Last Updated: 3:53 PM May 12, 2008
52 comments
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Grief counselors were on hand Monday at a Boyle County middle school after a student died over the weekend.

A 14-year old Desiree Hinderer, of Danville,was killed Sunday afternoon when police say she crashed the car she was driving into a tree. She was pronounced dead on the scene on KY 52 in Danville.

Her 17-year old passenger suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to the local hospital. His name has not yet been released.

Hinderer attended Bate Middle School in Danville.

Danville police say a criminal investigation has been launched into the crash.

They're still trying to figure out why Desiree was driving in the first place.

Funeral arrangements for Desiree Hinderer have been set.

Her visitation is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at 5, at Preston-Pruitt Funeral Home in Danville.

Her funeral is Wednesday afternoon at 3, also at the funeral home.
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Posted by: ashten Location: k.y on Aug 23, 2008 at 07:12 PM
this hurts me deeply this was my best friend in the world its so hard but i love her and i am trying to stay strong for her i hope that she is in heaven having a good time amd as she used to say i hope that shae REMEMBER's me because i would never forget her i love you Desiree (edited) you friend ashten
Posted by: sammy Location: danville on Jul 9, 2008 at 06:23 PM
dezzy was my best friend she was like a sis to me and i love her and always will....if u didnt know her then y do u keep asking wat happened let her R.I.P. she deserves that much....
Posted by: Duane Location: formerly of Lancaster, KY on Jul 2, 2008 at 12:51 PM
It doesnt matter as to why, or how. The fact remains that this child is gone, and no amount of arguing or blaming will bring her back. I have the right to say something because my kids were very close to her. She spent lots of time at our house and I got to know her very well. She made a mistake, as did her passenger. So let me ask you people this, when you were 14, didnt you ever do something that you were sorry about? Or thought about doing something stupid? I thought so. So please let this child rest. Im sure that she would be saying the same thing.
Posted by: luque benthall Location: danville on Jun 29, 2008 at 01:48 PM
man you guys that didnt know her you need to stop asking y did she drive the car ok you dont needto know that ok!! all you need to know is that she was a friend and alot cared for her ok i love you dezzy say up love luque!!!!
Posted by: Diamond Location: Danville on Jun 25, 2008 at 11:07 AM
you are so right michelle. i didnt know Desiree that well but she went to my school at bate and i had 5th and 6th periods with her. whenever i looked at her empty seat it tore my heart into pieces. i wish i knew her better but from what i heard she was very nice. also some people dont know this but she was pregnant too. i miss her so much and so do many teachers and i cry about it all the time. the day after she died so many people were crying at school and i want dezzy to know that R.I.P Dezzy, R.I.P Desiree, and Desiree Hinderer 5-11-08 (car crash)gone but never forgotten, and things of that sort were writen ALL OVER boards and walls and the bleachers and desks and lots of school stuff (Mr. Godbey had to even make an announcement one day that writing on school property is concidered vandalism no matter what you're writing) and i want you to know, Desiree, that you were loved by many, even those who you thought didnt know you...LIKE ME!!!
Posted by: Michelle Location: Nicholasville on May 15, 2008 at 03:01 PM
To ANONYMOUS in KY, and to everyone else that has left negative comments on this story. I knew Desiree personally and it really saddends me that people that have NO CLUE about her can put her down as you just have. She was NOT out DOING EVERYTHING else as you say. They BOTH made a poor judgement call, but OH I guess you have NEVER done a wrong thing in your life. What a JERK you are for saying something like that and to you people that leave the negative comments, FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND STUDENTS, PEOPLE WHO LOVE HER READ THIS AND IT HURTS THEM. I know that personally because some of your comments upset my daughters that were very close to her. She was like their sister and another daughter to me, she spent so much time with us. So until you KNOW everything do us all a favor and DONT POST COMMENTS. She was very loving and caring, unfortunatly she DIDN"T touch your life, our you would have had VERY different opinions to post. LOVE YOU DESIREE and MISS YOU! You are gone but NOT forgotten.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Ky on May 14, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Why not let her Drive the car? She was probably out doing everthing else. Its not her grandfathers fault, he can't keep his hand capped over it.
Posted by: The Brother Location: Somewhere on May 14, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Hello, I am the passenger's brother. I am deeply saddened about this tragedy, as so is everyone reading these comment's. I knew Desiree, I also met Jack (her grendfather). I am here to answer any questions about the passenger. I am not going to release any personal info on the 17 year old other than the fact that he has no serious injuries, just a few scrapes and stitches. He is very lucky to be walking. All I can tell you now is that he doesn't remember any recollection of the events of that day. We are going to tell him in front of an experienced psychologist. I have not been the same since then. I cannot express how I feel about the tragedy, and I wish these events did not happen.
Posted by: kibby Location: morehead on May 14, 2008 at 05:57 AM
why is every one being so judgmental about the 17yr old some of you dads can remember a girl talking you into some thing you should not have done. yes he is 17 but im sure that he knows he made a mistake and will probably carry this one for the rest of his life.please fill for thefamlies and the loss .dont judge, some one else will take care of that. to the family mt heart and prayers are with you.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 14, 2008 at 05:04 AM
Teen i agree with you.He is still just a child.As i stated earlier i have a 17 year old and a 13 year old.My 17 year old has her permit.Its scary.I had a brother to get killed at 16 on his way back from work in 74.After that mom never one sign for any one else she blamed her self.And i dont want this grandfather to blame his self.From the way it sounds he was rasing her.And to me that makes him a great person.Teens will sneak and lie.And thats not right to do.Then again that doesnt make them bad.It makes them a kid.Before youy pass judgment.It could had been your child.
Posted by: Jeff Location: Boyle County on May 13, 2008 at 07:26 PM
"Posted by: kim on May 12, 2008 at 12:39 PM i dont know the girl that died that much but i do know that she went to my school and she did not deserve to die but her boyfreind (the passenger) should have because he let her drive even though he knew it was raining and that she was not old enough to drive he should be punished because of that and i know all o this because i had freinds that were freinds with her and were deeply crushed when they heard the bad news..... :( and even though i dont know her i still think that she should not of been the one who was dead... :( " That is ignorant of you to say such a thing. How do you know that the boy isn't dealing with extreme guilt that will follow him for life? Sure he should be held responsible in some way, but to wish that he should be the one who was killed is not only irrational, but way out of line. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Posted by: NOT in a GLASS HOUSE Location: KY on May 13, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Mike of Danville, and all those cheering him on, Stop preaching that you wouldn't let "your child" out with a 17 year old. The grandfather did NOT let her go out with the 17 year old; she lied to him. PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW STONES. Hide a camera at your child's school, ease drop on their conversations (verbal & digital) before you throw the first stone. I teach in a high school where PDA is excessive and is the least of the worries to call home over when there are children doing drugs, fighting, and failing.
Posted by: Teen Location: Central, KY on May 13, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Everyone will want to blame the boy. Even though he is 17 look at the maturity level. It was also said that the girl told her grandpa she was going to be with a friend and a friends mother shopping. Now the grandpa has to living knowing the last words out of her mouth was a lie. That's sad, and I feel the situation should be looked as a terrible accident and leave the boy alone.
Posted by: Distant Aquaintance. Location: Nicholasville on May 13, 2008 at 11:32 AM
As some on here have said, 14 y/o's have different levels of maturity. So do 17 y/o's. This boy is nowhere close to being called an adult. He is as much of a child as she was. This is a sad situation, but this is life. Yes, in some situations there is obvious liability, but in this case two kids made bad choices and one paid for it with her life and his will never be the same. Pray for these families and leave it to the Lord to lay blame.
Posted by: Dessera Location: Danville on May 13, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Me and desiree were really close
Posted by: Wow Location: Richmond on May 13, 2008 at 10:56 AM
TO ALL PARENTS! If you dont think your 14yrold has thought about taking your car for a spin you may be one of the 1in 50 that are right. But kids are indeed kids so you might wanna start taking mileage when you park your car or keep your keys in your room when you sleep. Alot of people dont know what their kids do after they go to bed at night untill something bad happens or some one calls them. Its just common sense like keeping all medications away from teenagers tempted hands.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 10:44 AM
I have a 17 year old and a 13 year old.Both girls.And have been called over protective.I am always where my girls are.Kids do not see the dangers in life.They think they know it all.They laugh at me when i follow my girls.My husbands died in 98 of a car accident.I have lost a lot of people in my life.I am raising my girls alone now.And i know how this family is feeling.I also am sure this 17 year old didnt think something like this could happen.He is still a child himself.I know i have a 17 yearold.
Posted by: Kelsey Location: Lancaster on May 13, 2008 at 10:17 AM
she was like my family and i dont think she was supposed to die but she's in a better place know i will always LOVE HER AS A SISTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Desiree's BFF Location: Lancaster on May 13, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Desiree was the best friend that i had ever had. She was practically my foruth sister. We did almost everything together and got in trouble together. Yeah, she shouldn't've been driving, but i still love her for who she was. My thoughts and prayers are with Jack and the rest of her family. Love ya Dezzy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: EXCUSE ME! Location: Lexington on May 13, 2008 at 09:22 AM
Okay - we have some people saying that this 14 year old girl should have known the difference between right and wrong and some saying she should have been home and not with a 17 year old boy? Kids that are 14 years old have different levels of maturity. If we spent less time saying "no" to everything and more time explaining what can happen, these kids would have more ability to make the right choices in their lives. Some parents are so naive because they think their kids will not do something just because they are told not to. Sometimes you just have to be brutally honest about what can happen in certain situations and not make it seem to your kids that you are just overreacting. I know when my parents told me not to do something without any explanation, it made me want to do it even more. A situation like this should be pretty obvious, but you have to realize that you are talking about a 14 year old that probably has never been exposed to a lot of situations.
Posted by: Joey Location: Lex on May 13, 2008 at 08:50 AM
While I agree with those asking the question of why was a 14 year old girl out with a 17 year old boy, I will add this. Since the boy was under 18, he can't be looked at as an adult; he's a minor as well. Now, as a parent, my daughter (at the age of 14) would never be out in a car, movie, restaurant or anywhere with a boy being looked at as a boyfriend. Fourteen is too young and I don't care what you "progressive" parents say. I don't know if this boy was her boyfriend or not, I am just stating my opinion. I don't know if the parents knew but parents should know who their kids hang out with. Yes, kids will try and sneak, but if the rules are enforced WITH consequences from day one, incidents like this can be avoided.
Posted by: SAD PARENT Location: WINCHESTER on May 13, 2008 at 08:35 AM
IM SO SORRY TO HEAR THE LOSS OF THIS YOUNG TEEN.I HAVE A SON WHO IS 11 AND WHEN HE IS EVEN OLD ENOUGH TO DRIVE I WILL BE VERY CAREFUL WHO HE IS WITH. FIRST OF ALL THIS GIRL DIDN'T NEED TO BE OUT ALONE WITH THE 17 YEAR OLD BOY OR BOYFRIEND. I THINK AS PARENTS WE NEED TO BE MORE STRICT OF WHO OUR KIDS ARE WITH. THERE IS SO MUCH PEER PRESSURE IN THE WORLD ON SEX AND DRUGS. SOME PARENTS LET THEIR KIDS GO AND DO WHATEVER AND THEN IN SOME CASES THE GIRL ENDS UP PREGANT AND THE SO CALLED BOYFRIEND IS GONE. SO I THINK WE PARENTS NEED TO WAKE UP AND CHERISH EVERYDAY WITH OUR KIDS, TELL THEM WHAT THEY CAN DO. BECAUSE THERE WILL BE A TIME WHEN WE CANT. I WILL HAVE MY FAMILY REQUEST PRAYER FOR BOTH FAMILIES. MAY GOD COMFORT YOU IN YOUR LOSS!
Posted by: lil e Location: danville on May 13, 2008 at 08:20 AM
i do not know her like that 4 real but i fill so sorry 4 her her and her friends and i think that her boy freind is to old 4 her and she should not be going with him and he should go to jail
Posted by: Mom Location: KY on May 13, 2008 at 07:07 AM
Well said, Mike. I think the boyfriend should be held responsible for letting her drive. Her parents may not have ever known he was letting her drive. But also, what was a 14 year old girl doing out with a boy anyway? He was much too old for her.
Posted by: After Reading these comments.... on May 13, 2008 at 06:59 AM
all of you kids need to pay attention in school and learn how to spell. Driving at a young age is nothing you need to be worrying about. Look what happened to this girl. Study hard, get good grades and become a productive member of society. My regards to the family and if you have other children, make and enforce rules so this won't happen again.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Ky on May 13, 2008 at 05:47 AM
Thank you Mike in DAnville. I read these other comments and I'm thinking you people would let your 14 yr old daughter go out with a 17 yr old boy in a car? they need to be home being a child , playing with friends nad studying , not out trying to be an adult.
Posted by: luque Location: benthall on May 13, 2008 at 05:46 AM
i loved her like a sis and now she is gone ya we had our ups and downbut it dint half to end like this i miss you and love you luque b. rip ok and save me a seat up there!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on May 13, 2008 at 05:42 AM
My first thoughts are , Why was this 14 yr old girl allowed to have a 17 yr old boyfriend?
Posted by: Parent Location: Ky on May 13, 2008 at 05:36 AM
When my son got his lis. I had rules.1) No other teens in the vehicle with him.Esp. after school.He broke this rule the first day he drove to school. Wrecked,thankfully no one was injured. 2) no driving after dark.He just so happened to get out one evening and didn't make it home until after dark.No wreck to report that time.I took his lis. for 6 months. My point.....teens are going to break rules because thats just what teens do.I don't care who's teen it is. They will break a rule every now and then.Such a tragedy this had to happen to this young, vibrant girl. My prayers are for both families involved.I feel kids should have to wait until they graduate, at least, to obtain their lis. They should be ordered to enroll in college or get a job before they can drive unattended by an adult(21 or over)1) This puts responsibility on the teen to hold down a job or make something of themselves. 2)This would cut back on teens out running around in vehicles not understanding the dangers.
Posted by: Chelle.Brook.Kelsey.Jayci Location: Kentucky on May 12, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Dezzie.We miss you dearly and have so many memories of you spending time with us. Last summer was a blast and Halloween. Thanks for the memories and for being a friend. You have touched so many lives with your smile and bubbly personality. I dont think you ever met a stranger. Say hi to my sister in heaven for me. Jayci really misses you. Love you and miss you!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Danville on May 12, 2008 at 06:19 PM
why would you let a 14 year old drive a car. she went to my school to. i may not be in the same grade and i may not know her but we will all miss you desiree god bless your family
Posted by: Kelsey Location: Danville on May 12, 2008 at 04:05 PM
It is his fault! He shouldn't have let her drive! And it wasn't the first time either. He's let her drive before. It was a accident waiting to happen!
Posted by: bj Location: monticello,ky on May 12, 2008 at 03:33 PM
why was this 14 yr old. drving and not the 17 yr old.he shouldn't have let her drive. he should be held resonable for this girls death.
Posted by: Mike Location: Danville on May 12, 2008 at 03:03 PM
One point everyone seems to be missing is why was a 14yo girl out with a 17yo boy to begin with. I feel sorry for the grandfather. There is no way in this world would my 14yo daughter be going out at all, especially with a 17yo boy. We are letting our children grow up too fast these days. We need to look at how we are raising our children, then we will see why so many are into trouble. It is time that parents started being parents again, instead of trying to be our children's best friend.
Posted by: brian Location: winchester on May 12, 2008 at 02:56 PM
i feel bad for the familey hope things get better its pretty bad my regards to the family and hate wat happend and its said to lose some one
Posted by: Sabrina Location: Lancaster ky on May 12, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Desiree was a very sweet girl an its very sad what happen .. i had just saw her Saturday at wal mart , all threw Elementry we were very good friends. I can't believe something like this had happen.I pray for her grandfather, an family...Im sorry.. Lord be with her family. Im 14 i drive on back roads an this is very scary i think i will wait until i get older to even be behind a wheel; but 1/2 of people in the world die in car wrecks its one of the worst things. & i think that boy should not ever be able to drive again.. because he should had never let her drive on a main road when the weather is horrible out an she has no expierences .. God bless her family.
Posted by: Kasey Location: garrard on May 12, 2008 at 01:20 PM
she was my best friend and we got into a arguement and we havent talked sense and i feel like scum.
Posted by: Courtney Location: Lexington on May 12, 2008 at 12:43 PM
There's a reason why we have driving limits. that girl really should had been following them.
Posted by: kathy Location: prestonsburg on May 12, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I am so sorry for the family. My question is where were her parents and who gave her the keys? this girls life ended to soon because of someone wasn't being a parent!!!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: kentucky on May 12, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Unfortunately, this is a perfect example, along with today's gas prices, of WHY we SHOULD take the keys away from our teens, and only allow them to drive if they have no other way to get to school and back or to work and back. Bet the number of teen related traffic fatalities drastically drops..There is no excuse for a 17 year old having the ability to allow a 14 year old to drive. My hearfelt prayers go out to the family of Desiree, and the family of the 17 year old. Nothing in this world will ever heal your hearts for the loss of this child. May God help you all through this terrible tragedy. And yes, the laws on teen driving need to be looked at. If under 18, no more than 1-2 teen passengers should be allowed with a teen driver. No driving allowed under age 18 if after dark unless accompanied by a sober parent, and a second driving test should be given at age 18 to make sure they clearly understand the priviledge they are gaining.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: danville on May 12, 2008 at 09:40 AM
this girl was a wonderful person. she was loved and will be very missed by all her loved ones. we will all remember 5-11-08!!!!
Posted by: kim on May 12, 2008 at 09:39 AM
i dont know the girl that died that much but i do know that she went to my school and she did not deserve to die but her boyfreind (the passenger) should have because he let her drive even though he knew it was raining and that she was not old enough to drive he should be punished because of that and i know all o this because i had freinds that were freinds with her and were deeply crushed when they heard the bad news..... :( and even though i dont know her i still think that she should not of been the one who was dead... :(
Posted by: kim on May 12, 2008 at 09:39 AM
i dont know the girl that died that much but i do know that she went to my school and she did not deserve to die but her boyfreind (the passenger) should have because he let her drive even though he knew it was raining and that she was not old enough to drive he should be punished because of that and i know all o this because i had freinds that were freinds with her and were deeply crushed when they heard the bad news..... :( and even though i dont know her i still think that she should not of been the one who was dead... :(
Posted by: Amanda Location: Mt. Sterling on May 12, 2008 at 09:39 AM
It is sad. I'm sure the 17 yr old let her drive the car although it wasn't the right thing to do. I'm sure that 17 year old and the family is dealing with some extreme guilt. My thoughts and prayers go out to both families involved.
Posted by: Allie Location: Danville on May 12, 2008 at 09:36 AM
I knew this girl. The passenger let her drive, knowing the conditions. It is his fault even though she asked. He gave her the keys, and now our school is grieving over our loss. We will miss Desiree!!!
Posted by: karen Location: garrard co. on May 12, 2008 at 09:17 AM
my heart goes out to the whole family,she had alot of friends in garrard co. we are praying for the whole family and all her friends, we love you and miss you very much
Posted by: Johnny Evans Location: Lexington on May 12, 2008 at 08:50 AM
There is no way in this world "ANY" (14) year old is ready to drive a car. They might be trained on backroads and parking lots, but the real highway is a different ballgame. Highways become dieways when this kind of thing happens and it's a very sad situation and now the young girl's life is over due to this tragedy. I wish the state of KY would change the age law to 18 before kids can drive. There are WAY TOO many fatalities amongst teenagers.
Posted by: Haylee Location: Danville on May 12, 2008 at 08:41 AM
We all miss Desiree! she was a wonderful girl and we love her
Posted by: karen Location: garrard co. on May 12, 2008 at 07:48 AM
May god bless desiree's whole family, My daughter Ariel and desiree were very good friends and she is heart broke and misses desiree very much, i want to let her grandfather know that i am praying for him and the rest of the family and may god be with you at this very hard time.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Versailles on May 12, 2008 at 06:25 AM
Some say it might be weather related,but she was only 14,my daughter is 14 and she does't know how to drive a car.So I'm sure her age was the reason.Anyways it just upsets me to no end when I hear about young teens being killed in car wrecks.My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Posted by: mj Location: lex on May 12, 2008 at 06:12 AM
When I was 14-15 I had an 18 year old friend who always let me drive his car....in a church parking lot with no other cars around. Kids want to try it the older kids are stupid enough to let them. It is part of growing up. Unfortunately, this time, a huge price was paid for that experience. I pray for the family.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 12, 2008 at 06:03 AM
I have kids this same age. Who turns a 14 year old loose to drive a car?!
Posted by: john Location: lex on May 12, 2008 at 05:55 AM
Now what on earth was this doing behind a steering wheel??? The person who allowed should go to jail for a LONG time.
Posted by: Rhonda Location: Lexington on May 12, 2008 at 03:13 AM
Oh, reports like this break my heart! What was a 14 year old doing driving a car anyway???
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