DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is warning of the dangers of car surfing after a teenager died earlier this month.
The sheriff's office said on May 5, deputies were called to the scene of a rollover crash on Quarry Drive. A 16-year-old boy in the car was critically injured in the crash, and later died. The sheriff's office said another teenager was hurt but survived. Deputies said witnesses reported the backseat passengers were hanging out of the car's windows.
"In the wake of this devastating incident, we feel compelled to raise awareness about the dangers of car surfing," the sheriff's office said in a news release. "Car surfing involves riding on the outside of a moving vehicle being driven by another person. It is crucial to understand that this activity is incredibly dangerous, and the consequences can be fatal."
The sheriff's office said over the past several weeks, they've responded to six calls about car surfing. Five of the calls involved teenagers.
On April 17, a deputy saw two teenagers seated on the roof of a car, through the sunroof. The driver was going more than 55 miles per hour on C470 near South Quebec Street, according to the sheriff's office.
A few days after the 16-year-old boy died, someone took a picture of a teenager doing the same thing in Highlands Ranch. They reported it to law enforcement before anyone was hurt.
Deputies don't really know why several of these incidents have happened recently.
"I have not been able to find any recent social media challenges, let's call them, that are out there to cause kids to do this," Sgt. Jeff Burke with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit said.
Burke said parents, who may or may not know that children are doing this, should have conversations with their kids.
The sheriff's office said in addition to the risk of serious injury or death, people engaging in car surfing -- as well as the drivers involved -- can face criminal charges.
Burke said the driver is ultimately responsible because they have the power to stop the car.
Depending on how serious the situation is, a driver could face charges from reckless driving to vehicular homicide. The penalty against a passenger is a $35 fine.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Latest from 9NEWS