4 killed in gruesome Long Island accident; driver only had learner's permit

Four Queens teenagers died in a horrific crash today, when their driver -- who only had a learner’s permit -- wiped out on a rain-slicked “Dead Man’s Curve” portion of the Southern State Parkway, officials said.

The one-vehicle accident happened at about 3:40 a.m. in westbound lanes near Exit 17 in town of Malverne.

Driver Joseph Beer, 17, “failed to negotiated a curve and lost control,” according to state police.

“The vehicle exited the roadway across the two right lanes on to the shoulder where it struck several trees,” state police said.

The black 2012 Subaru Imprezza was split in half and ejecting all five occupants, authorities said.

Two bodies landed 30 feet away on the parkway, one in brush near the car and the fourth victim ended up next to the destroyed Subaru.

Beer, also from Queens, was left wandering in a daze, using light from his cell phone to look for survivors, officials and witnesses said. He was taken to nearby Winthrop Hospital after police and fire officials arrived.

All four of Beer’s passengers were 18 and pronounced dead at the scene.

At 17 and with only a learner’s permit, it appears Beer would have been barred from driving without a licensed driver -- 21 or over -- in the car.