Posted on 12/29/2003 2:58:30 PM PST by boothead
Seven teenagers ranging from 13 to 18 were killed this A.M. about 12:30 after being chased by the Troutman Police. The driver was seen driving in an erratic way and a chase was started. The car ran off the roadway to the left and went into a slid ending up in a small stream-bed on it's top. All seven, 5 boys and 2 girls were killed instantly. The auto was stolen earlier in the night. Some of the victims have not been identified. The teenagers were all from the Statesville, N. C. area. Sorry but this is all I have.
Needs to be repeated over and over and over...
Don't run from the cops.
Don't run from the cops.
Don't run from the cops.
Many cops can be major prycks, but if treated with downcast eyes, and alot of yessir, nossirs, it's a situation that is usually less catastophic than a teens imagination entertains.
Yup if you would have raised your kid not to steal other peoples cars and run from the cops.
I'm not sure thats what he meant though...
It is sad to see kids throw their young lives away over a stupid joyride.
That's a pretty stupid remark!. Police officers are NEVER happy at the death of ANYONE, especially kids. These kids stole a car and were criminals on the run. How were the police supposed to know who was in the car, or why they were running? It's tragic that these young lives ended; however, they died because of THEIR OWN ACTIONS.
Associated Press
Dec. 29, 2003 09:00 AM
TROUTMAN, N.C. - A car trying to outrun a police officer ran off a road and crashed early Monday, killing all seven young people inside, the state Highway Patrol said.
All of the victims - five males and two females - were believed to be in their teens, Highway Patrol Sgt. Terry Robinson said.
A police officer from Troutman gave chase after seeing the 2001 Dodge Intrepid weaving in its lane, the patrol said.
"They passed us going 85 to 100 miles an hour with the police car passing us," said a witness, Brandon Jackson.
The officer chased the car about five miles on U.S. 21 until it crashed shortly after midnight just south of Statesville, Robinson said. It flipped over after hitting an embankment, crashed into a tree and then skidded to a stop upside down in a creek.
The Highway Patrol said none of the victims was wearing a seat belt. They all were pronounced dead at the scene.
One of the victims was identified as Quentin Maurice Reed, 18, a passenger, officials said. The others were not immediately identified.
The car had been moved by midmorning, but 50-foot skid marks showed where it abruptly veered off the highway. Glass was embedded in the tree's trunk, and car parts were visible around the creek.
"You see these kids driving these fast cars and they have no sense," said Bucky Edwards, who stopped by to survey the damage. "It's so sad."
Worried residents called the Highway Patrol to see if their teens were in the car, dispatcher Ralph Ray said.
"We've had a multitude of people to call who think they may be their family members," Ray said.
Troutman police referred calls seeking further detail to Chief Eric Henderson, who was not immediately available for comment Monday. The town, about 35 miles north of Charlotte, has about 1,600 residents.
These teens broke the law more than once, albeit I am sorry they lost their lives.
sw
Ohh I see.. you're one of them thar heretical "free will" types... </sarc>
What in the heck was a 13 year old doing joyriding with older kids at 12:30 at night? WHERE WERE THE PARENTS?????
As a father of a teen and pre-teen, I hope to God I can this point across and somehow balance that they damned well not be in that situation in the first place.
The joys of parenthood.
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