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Driver cited under new teen law State police have cited the teen driver who survived the car crash that killed her friend March 23, the very day the driver received her license. Police cited Johanna Beth Dorris for violating the state's new teen driving law, which affects new drivers licensed after March 1, said Oregon State Police Sgt. Ralph Nelson. Dorris, 16, also was cited for careless driving in the accident that killed Ruth Anne Fernandez, 16. The violations carry a combined base fine of $470, Nelson said. The state also can decide to revoke or suspend Dorris' license. Nelson, who led the investigation into last Thursday's crash, said police and the Jackson County District Attorney's Office declined to pursue criminal charges against Dorris, a South Medford High School sophomore. "There were mistakes made, but it does not appear to us that the mistakes were criminal in nature," Nelson said. The assistant district attorney on the case was unavailable for comment. Dorris and her fellow South student, Fernandez, were apparently driving east on Highway 238 about a half mile west of Hanley Road shortly before 9 p.m. on March 23 when Dorris missed a curve and lost control of the pickup she was driving, and smashed into a tree. The passenger's side took the brunt of the impact. Fernandez died at the scene. Dorris suffered only cuts and bruises. State police said the fatal accident is the first involving a young driver since the new teen driving rules became law. The rules restrict the hours when teens 16 to 18 years old can drive. New drivers are prohibited from carrying underage passengers who are not family members during the first six months. Lawmakers said the law passed in 1999 was meant to keep easily distracted young drivers focused on driving and to curb the number of traffic accidents involving teens. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA