An Exeter teenager whose sister was killed by a drunken driver nine months ago was killed Friday in a single-car accident in Three Rivers.

Kyle Goodwin, 16, died after his 1999 Volvo S-80 rolled down an embankment at a curve on the rain-soaked Mineral King Road just before the intersection with Highway 198. The crash occurred at 4:10 a.m. Friday.

The teen, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected and died at the scene, according to a California Highway Patrol report.

His 16-year-old male passenger, whose name was not released by the CHP, was not injured. He was wearing his seat belt.

"That is why I want to remind everyone of the extreme life or death importance of wearing seat belts," CHP Officer Scott Jobinger said.
Johanna Vossler/Staff photographer
Lynne Goodwin, right, gets a hug from friend Cheryl Hand on Friday as friends and family visited the Goodwin home to remember Goodwin's son Kyle, who was killed early Friday when his car went off the road. The Goodwins' daughter Casey was killed by a drunken driver in March 2003.

Goodwin was driving on a provisional license, which he had for six months, CHP Officer David Gosvener said.

According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles Web site, California teens driving with a provisional license must drive with a parent or someone older than 25 years old for the first six months if they drive between midnight and 5 a.m. or if they transport people younger than 20.

Friends and family grieve

The news shocked a family who was still grieving the loss of Casey Goodwin, 20. She was killed March 13, 2003, in a Kettleman City crash caused by a drunken driver.

"This is too much, they just got through their first Christmas without Casey," said Elizabeth LaMar, a close family friend.

Lynne Goodwin, Kyle's mother, works for the Tulare County Friday Night Live organization, a youth program that encourages teens not to drink and drive.