Long Island prosecutors took the extraordinary step of holding a mom and dad responsible for their teen son’s high-speed car wreck that killed four of his friends.
Aaditia and Patricia Beer of Queens allowed their son Joseph, 17, to drive their 2012 Subaru on Oct. 8 even though he only had a learner’s permit, prosecutors said.
Joseph (pictured, in court yesterday) was high on marijuana and going more than 110 mph on the Southern State Parkway when he lost control on a section called “Dead Man’s Curve” at around 4 a.m. and skidded into the woods, prosecutors said.
Beer was the only survivor.
His parents were charged with unlicensed operation of a vehicle and face up to 15 days in jail and a $300 fine.
“They allowed their son to drive a vehicle they owned, and they knew he did not possess a driver’s license,” said Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice. “The result is four young lives being taken from their families and their friends.
“He was driving a souped-up, 305-horsepower sports car at twice the legal limit while he was high on marijuana. The consequences of his choices are unspeakable tragedy.”
Joseph Beer faces 25 years in prison for aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, four counts of manslaughter, driving under the influence, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Supreme Court Justice David Ayres refused to unshackle Beer during his appearance and doubled the bail requested by prosecutors, ordering $1 million cash or $2 million bond.
Beer’s somber father sat silently beside his wife, who wept openly when her son’s name was called.
His mom later ripped prosecutors for trying to pin the blame on her and her husband.
“It’s not like we give him the key and say, ‘Go kill somebody,’ ” she told The Post last night. “Nobody wants their kids to go out there in the middle of the night without your consent.”
The Richmond Hills HS student’s passengers — Chris Khan, Peter Kanhai and Darian Ramnarine, all 18, and Neal Rajapa, 17 — were killed in the crash.
All of the passengers were flung from the car. Joseph was initially hospitalized for minor injuries.