For Release: Immediate  Date: December 29, 2003

Sgt. Everett Clendenin Phone:(919) 733-5027 (Ext. 233)

RALEIGH – As of this afternoon, the N.C. Highway Patrol has confirmed the following information in their investigation of the crash in Iredell County early this morning that killed 7 local teens.

On Monday, 29 December 2003 at approximately 12:03 a.m., Troutman Police Officer Keith Bills attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a white Dodge Intrepid on US 21 for a traffic violation. The vehicle failed to stop. Officer Bills pursued the car north on US 21. The car traveled approximately one mile before losing control. The vehicle ran off the right shoulder, struck an embankment, overturned and collided with a tree before coming to rest on its roof in a creek, trapping all occupants inside the vehicle.

As a result of the collision, all seven victims were pronounced dead at the scene and their bodies were transported to hospitals in Statesville and Hickory. The victims were taken to area hospitals as follows:

1. Three victims were transported to Davis Hospital, Statesville:
   1) David Wayne Summers III, DOB 11-24-1989, Fourth Street, Statesville;
   2) John Lindsey Myers Jr., DOB 10-7-1988, address Fifth Street, Statesville;
   3) Quentin Maurice Reed, DOB 8-7-1985, address Wind Rush Court, Statesville


2. Two victims were transported to Frye Regional Medical Center, Hickory:
   1) Antonio Miller, DOB 3-7-1990, address Caldwell Street, Statesville;
   2) Domnick Hurtt, DOB 10-7-1986, address Wise Street, Statesville


3. Two victims were transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center, Hickory:
   1) Erica Stevenson, DOB 4-5-1988, address Hickory Nut Drive, Statesville;
   2) Antoinette Griffin, DOB 8-5-1990, address Hickory Nut Drive, Statesville.
   These two victims are sisters.

All victims of this collision have been identified by family members and each next of kin has been notified.

The preliminary investigation reveals that Mr. John Lindsey Myers was driving the car at the time of the collision. The vehicle also had a “donut” spare tire on the right rear. Preliminary investigation reveals that the car was traveling at a speed between 80 and 100 miles per hour. Troopers have requested a toxicology report to determine if alcohol could have been a contributing factor in the crash, which is standard procedure. The registered owner of the vehicle is Juan Tornez Casiano, address Brookview Road, Statesville. The Highway Patrol’s reconstruction team is conducting a more thorough investigation of the collision, which typically takes a minimum of 30 days.

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