The aircraft was one of three PA-38 aircraft flying together from Venice, FL to Beaver Falls, PA. The lead aircraft was flown by a CFI and the other two aircraft, including N2409F, were flown by newly certificated private pilots. The pilot of N2409F was certificated on the previous day. According to the pilot of N2409F, flight planning was done by the CFI. The en route flight was without incident, except the first refueling stop was earlier than planned because they were low on fuel. A second refueling stop was made at Summerville; however, when they landed the fuel service there was closed. According to the pilot, each aircraft had 4 gallons of fuel. He said the CFI determined they had enough fuel to reach Charleston, located 40 miles away. They took off and, according to the pilot, about 14 miles south of Charleston, his aircraft ran out of fuel. He made a forced landing and the aircraft collided with trees during the landing. The other two aircraft reached Charleston and were refueled with more than 30 gallons of fuel (capacity was 32 gallons; usable fuel was 30 gallons).