Irresponsible ownership?

HI. I need help. My son has a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 135,0000 miles. Fast forward to me getting in his car on Friday. Hearing the dinging of a gauge that reads "check gauge". When I asked what that was he said" That happens all the time and means nothing" Ok so he's 18 now and I figure should be responsible so. Fast forward to later. It overheats (middle of downtown rush hour) 1/2 block away from gas station in bumper to bumper. He wants me to drive now cause he's scared. We make it to station.I look under hood release and realize the overfill for tank is BONE DRY. Hmm no coolant = overheating right? We wait on advice of a helpful guy (NOT employee of station) who said wait, let it cool down and filled it. We did & it started. Got on freeway, car started to rattle, I tried to get to off ramp(there was really no pull over the is a small freeway and my friend watched someone get hit by a car on a freeway like this.I was afraid for our safety barely made it, broke down again and had to be towed(would not start after cool down). The head gasket possibly is broken now. Could this have been avoided by listen to the car and checking fluid (as everyone in family has said on a weekly basis) or as he says my fault for driving it. This is causing a BIG problem, so I appreciate any insight.