Driver's Brother Was Victim In Berks County Fatal Accident: Aus...

A 15-year-old Berks County boy killed in a crash Sunday on Route 61 in Windsor Township, Berks County, has been identified as Austin L. Berk of Perry Township near Shoemakersville.

[hmmmm]

this is a horrible story. My oldest is just getting his license and he will not be a transporter for my 12 and 11 year old....never....scares the hell out of me.

I am not putting blame on the parents.....just a real tragidy. My thoughts are with you all....i amvery sorry.

[goto2369]

so sad - and the worst part is - codie is a former/current race car driver! image, not being able to get enough thrills on a race track that you have to go out and drive like an idiot on the street. worst is codie's going to have to live the rest of his life with the fact that he is responsible for his brother's death. I am so sorry for the family, I would never wish this on anyone!!

[well ok]

hmmmm wrote:

this is a horrible story. My oldest is just getting his license and he will not be a transporter for my 12 and 11 year old....never....scares the hell out of me.
I am not putting blame on the parents.....just a real tragidy. My thoughts are with you all....i amvery sorry.

hmmmmm....never say never !!!

[hmmmm]

well ok wrote:

<quoted text>hmmmmm....never say never !!!

What? that makes no sense! My yonger kids will never ride with my oldest....never....

[West End Resident]

Let's face some facts here -

First, this situation and the resulting crash - not an accident - and the death, injured person, and damages were all totally unnecessary. No need, excuse, rationale, or justification for it - NONE.

Second - What kind of parenting - and lack of self-control and maturity - let ANY of them think that driving that way is acceptable. Public highways are neither race courses, demolition derbies, or 'grudge match' cages.

Third - Where the heck are the cops that should be patrolling this road, and preventing this kind of thing from happening - in the middle of a Sunday afternoon, no less. The Dunkin' Donuts shop and the Cabela's store must be too close to the barracks and police stations.

The true character of the Berks County rednecks / hillbillies shows through ...

[Winston Niles Rumford]

youth + stupidity + speed = death

[Amused by Amused Crack-er]

hmmmm wrote:

<quoted text>
What? that makes no sense! My yonger kids will never ride with my oldest....never....

It makes alot of sense...you say that now...but...there will come a time when you will allow it !!!

[Lower Macungie Resident]

My prayers are with the family.

[Amused by Amused Crack-er]

West End Resident wrote:

Let's face some facts here -
First, this situation and the resulting crash - not an accident - and the death, injured person, and damages were all totally unnecessary. No need, excuse, rationale, or justification for it - NONE.
Second - What kind of parenting - and lack of self-control and maturity - let ANY of them think that driving that way is acceptable. Public highways are neither race courses, demolition derbies, or 'grudge match' cages.
Third - Where the heck are the cops that should be patrolling this road, and preventing this kind of thing from happening - in the middle of a Sunday afternoon, no less. The Dunkin' Donuts shop and the Cabela's store must be too close to the barracks and police stations.
The true character of the Berks County rednecks / hillbillies shows through ...

West End Idiot Facts...Why is it the Parents fault that the kid drove fast and crashed ??? I hope you do not mean the West End of allentown...I thought people in that area were intelligent not belligerent

[Yessiree]

As long as there are kids and there are cars there will be racing and accidents and death.

Unless you assign a police officer to every human being there is no amount of enforcement that will cure risky behavior.

No need laying blame on anyone but two immature children.

Sympathy and prayers for the families.

[Mark]

Another selfish idiots kills another innocent sole.

Too many selfish people live at the expense of the innocent.

[just a thought]

West End Resident wrote:

Let's face some facts here -
First, this situation and the resulting crash - not an accident - and the death, injured person, and damages were all totally unnecessary. No need, excuse, rationale, or justification for it - NONE.
Second - What kind of parenting - and lack of self-control and maturity - let ANY of them think that driving that way is acceptable. Public highways are neither race courses, demolition derbies, or 'grudge match' cages.
Third - Where the heck are the cops that should be patrolling this road, and preventing this kind of thing from happening - in the middle of a Sunday afternoon, no less. The Dunkin' Donuts shop and the Cabela's store must be too close to the barracks and police stations.
The true character of the Berks County rednecks / hillbillies shows through ...

i wasn't going to post on this thread until i read your rant. you are out of touch with reality and need to come back. i mean, why stop there. blame the people that build the roads, without the roads there wouldn't be accidents...but then don't stop there, blame the people that build the cars...you could blame the mva, they issued the licenses...heck, lets all jump in a bubble so we are forever protected, that way the cops could enjoy their donuts in peace.

[MMMMMMMK]

West end resident you truely are a moron. This collision is the fault of both the operators of these vehicles and that is where the blame lies. To go on a rant and blame everyone else like the police is absolutely ridiculous. This is what's wrong with our society no one is accountable for anything, its always someone else's fault.

[Codie and Austins friend]

First off, I highly doubt any of you knew either Codie or Austin, me on the otherhand went to school with both of them, and was in the same grade as Codie and has known him for 10+ years.
I'm not saying that he should have been speeding.
But at the same time
1. How you can say its the parents fault is absolutly beyond me, unless they are always in the car with them they have no way of knowing if he is speeding or not. So thats just ridiculous.
2. He was speeding on the road because he races cars??? I have gotten a speeding ticket already and last time I checked i'm not a race car driver.
3. To say that Codie is a selfish idiot is passing judgment. Haven't your parents ever taught you not to judge. Codie was one of the most unselfish people I have ever met.
4. "worst is codie's going to have to live the rest of his life with the fact that he is responsible for his brother's death."
Unfortunatly, they don't even know at this point if Codie is going to make it.
If you want to come on here and just write about how stupid, immature, and selfish people are for crashing, and make opinions of these people. Why don't you just keep your comments to your self.
Some of us actually knew these people and are very devastated about this tragedy. No need to make it worse by passing judgment.
RIP Austin. <3
Stay strong Codie. We love you.

[Get the facts]

I have an idea - how about you all stop placing blame, making up your own stories and deciding that you are an authority on everything. First off, that area of Route 61 is probably one of the most dangerous areas on that road (I drive it everyday) Second of all, let's remember there is one young boy dead and one in critical condition. There is a family in mourning, friends in mourning and a town in mourning!! Instead of posting your uncaring thoughts, why not say you'll pray for the family, you'll pray for Cody? As far as road rage, don't even say it's teenagers. I have been on 61 many times and dealt with "adults" who will cut me off, give me the finger, oh and get in front of me and slam on the brakes!!! Yes, they were speeding, that is wrong, but thousands of people speed everyday and are just lucky they don't get killed!! Thousands of people drink and drive everyday and are lucky. So as a parent of a teenager, I've taught my 19 year old the best I can, all parents can only hope that the lessons we have taught, have stuck in the child's head!! HAVE SOME COMPASSION FOR THIS FAMILY!!! The older son was a good friend of my daughter's, he was not a "bad" kid!! And just because he raced dirt track, doesn't mean he didn't know how to drive. I have to stop now - I'm getting very upset!! Let's stop judging and start praying!! THAT'S WHAT THIS WORLD NEEDS!!!!!!

[Oh Snap]

What a horrible, horrible accident. In reality, this family lost both sons this terrible day. My deepest sympathies to all involved.

[West End Resident]

Re-read all these posts and then try to figure out why -
Since the road is so bad, the cops are not out there enforcing the speed laws;
Parents have not taught their kids to drive responsibly, and check to make sure that's what they're doing;
How you can have an collision in the middle of a clear dry day without a lot of negligence and recklessness;
These drivers - evidently both of them - thought they could be so reckless without any consequences.
Again, this wasn't really an accident - it was recklessness that led to death and injuries.
I'm sure the family is suffering - that's too bad. But no one else is really responsible for all of the factors that led to this happening. That's tough and unfortunate, but that's how it is.'Deal with it'- including those of you who drive that road.

[hmmmm]

Amused by Amused Crack-er wrote:

<quoted text>It makes alot of sense...you say that now...but...there will come a time when you will allow it !!!

No, there won't be.

[fly buy]

some how our youth don't get the message that "speed kills" today light weight hi horsepower cars are like jets without wings. some of these cars are rockets right off the lot. 2 - 3 hundred horsepower with turbo and 5 speeds. If there driving it, there going to fly it..... No way would I ever let my son or daughter buy these sport cars that are hopped up right from the factory. when buying a car for a kid, look at the model and engine size. if it is made for speed. don't buy it! you certainly would not buy your kid a colt 44 revolver, and let them experiment with it when they don't know anything about guns? So why would you allow them a car that is just as dangerous to the novice to experiment with?
My condolences to this family my God give them strength.

[TooManyDumbFuxTo Address]

There is a message here for some folks who will never read this forum thread.

And there needs to be a message for some who contribute vitriolic short sighted opinions as if it will change anything.

But I am at a loss at how to convey anything meaningful to either.

Maybe this will do:
Do not lie steal hurt or kill anyone and when you can be helpful to others at the same time as you are helping yourself.

Who am I kidding ?

A humans biggest fault is being human.

NOW That is a message of hope…..as long as hope is just having something to do.

Good luck everyone.
Have some fun.
Smile and say hello to a stranger.
Constantly maintain following distance.
Honor the old by listening to what they have to say and learning something from it.
Measure twice cut once.
Because some tomorrow will be your last and whoever is left will have to clean up your mess if you made one.