THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606230050
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 60 lines
Just hours after two sisters were killed in a fiery, four-car crash on the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway, the driver of the car they were riding in died early Saturday, state police said.
The victims, all teenagers, were described as close friends.
It appears unlikely investigators will learn what led to the crash that claimed their lives. State police do not believe alcohol or excessive speed were factors.
``I don't know if we'll ever know what caused it,'' said Tammy Van Dame, a state police spokeswoman. ``All the people in that car that could have told us are gone.''
The dead were identified as:
The driver, Natasha Hunt, 19, of Virginia Beach, who died at Virginia Beach General Hospital at 1:41 a.m.
Melissa Poore, age undetermined, of Virginia Beach.
Cassandra Poore, 16, of Virginia Beach.
It was unknown whether they were wearing seat belts, state police said.
A state police accident reconstruction team worked until early Saturday trying to piece together what happened in the wreck. Van Dame gave this scenario based on their findings:
At 9:38 p.m. Friday, a 1995 Hyundai Elantra occupied by the three teenagers went out of control while heading toward the Oceanfront on the expressway. The car crossed over the median and into oncoming westbound traffic, where it was struck by a 1991 Explorer.
The Explorer rolled over at least once and burst into flames. It was quickly engulfed.
Meanwhile, the Elantra was next struck by a Honda and then a 1996 Buick before it finally went onto the divider between the on-ramp from First Colonial and the expressway, where it came to rest.
The Elantra, the Honda and the Explorer were totaled.
Van Dame identified the driver of the Explorer as Ronald Davis, 36, of Virginia Beach. With him was a 12-month-old infant.
Davis suffered minor injuries. The infant had been properly secured in a child safety seat and was unhurt, Van Dame said.
The driver of the Honda, identified as Ronald Conception, 27, of Norfolk, also was injured.
The driver of the Buick, identified as Richard Keever Jr. of Virginia Beach, was not hurt.
As terrible a tragedy as it was, Van Dame said, ``it had the potential to be much more devastating.''
At least two lives were probably saved by passersby who rushed to the aid of Davis and the infant after the Explorer overturned and burst into flames. They helped free them from the wreckage.
``There was nothing recognizable of that Ford Explorer,'' Van Dame said. ``If not for the good Samaritans . . .'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by JOHN C. BELL
The wreckage of a Hyundai Elantra rests on the Expressway after an
accident Friday night that killed three teenagers, two of them
sisters.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC FATALITY by CNB