wbpo
08-03-2003, 09:15 AM
Raleigh Police Make Arrest In Connection With 2001 Accident
Four Teens Killed In High-Speed Wreck On I-540
POSTED: 11:18 p.m. EDT August 2, 2003
UPDATED: 1:03 a.m. EDT August 3, 2003
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Raleigh police have made an arrest in connection with an accident that killed four local teenagers on I-540.
Christopher Petersen faces four counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from the 2001 accident.
According to police, Petersen was racing a car driven by Bryan Reaves. Investigators say Reaves lost control of his car at speeds in excess of 100 miles an hour.
Reaves and three friends were killed after their car crossed into oncoming traffic and hit a van.
Reaves, 18, Jamie Lynn Brewer, 17, David Michael Smith, 17, and Matthew William Yurcak, 17, all of Wake County, died in the accident. Five people in the van were injured.
The charges against Petersen are based on evidence not available at the time of the accident, according to the Raleigh Police Department.
Petersen was released from jail Saturday night on $80,000 secured bond.
There are four trees along I-540 that symbolize the deaths of the four friends.
The mother of one of the victims spoke out about Saturday's arrest.
"If he's found guilty, he should be held accountable," Dee Welch said of Petersen. "My daughter and her three friends were held accountable, and you don't know what they did or what they agreed to. They paid a a huge price."
Previous Stories:
May 30, 2002: Family, Friends Mourn Raleigh Teens Killed In I-540 Wreck One Year Ago
June 1, 2001: Students At Area High Schools React To Fatal Accident Involving Classmates
June 1, 2001: Excessive Speed Likely Cause Of Deadly Crash
Four Teens Killed In High-Speed Wreck On I-540
POSTED: 11:18 p.m. EDT August 2, 2003
UPDATED: 1:03 a.m. EDT August 3, 2003
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Raleigh police have made an arrest in connection with an accident that killed four local teenagers on I-540.
Christopher Petersen faces four counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from the 2001 accident.
According to police, Petersen was racing a car driven by Bryan Reaves. Investigators say Reaves lost control of his car at speeds in excess of 100 miles an hour.
Reaves and three friends were killed after their car crossed into oncoming traffic and hit a van.
Reaves, 18, Jamie Lynn Brewer, 17, David Michael Smith, 17, and Matthew William Yurcak, 17, all of Wake County, died in the accident. Five people in the van were injured.
The charges against Petersen are based on evidence not available at the time of the accident, according to the Raleigh Police Department.
Petersen was released from jail Saturday night on $80,000 secured bond.
There are four trees along I-540 that symbolize the deaths of the four friends.
The mother of one of the victims spoke out about Saturday's arrest.
"If he's found guilty, he should be held accountable," Dee Welch said of Petersen. "My daughter and her three friends were held accountable, and you don't know what they did or what they agreed to. They paid a a huge price."
Previous Stories:
May 30, 2002: Family, Friends Mourn Raleigh Teens Killed In I-540 Wreck One Year Ago
June 1, 2001: Students At Area High Schools React To Fatal Accident Involving Classmates
June 1, 2001: Excessive Speed Likely Cause Of Deadly Crash