Labor Department looking into fatal wreck

Sunday, July 25th 2004, 10:28 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The state Labor Department is looking into employment practices at Oklahoma Democratic Party after a teenager was killed and one was seriously injured in a traffic accident.

The father of 16-year-old Jackalyn Pearson says the girl remains in a coma after the accident, which occurred while she was canvassing door-to-door for the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

Fifteen-year-old Dallas Horn was killed in the wreck.

State Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau Wynn says her office is looking into whether the teens were working when the accident occurred. Federal labor laws prohibit teens under 18 from operating a vehicle in connection with their work.

Democratic Party Chairman Jay Parmley says the party is complying with the investigation. He says the teens were independent contractors for the party.