Four Teens Killed In High-Speed Wreck

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

redsnake99 · 08-03-2003, 11:41 PM

Bryan Reaves wa my son Terry's best friend and he was devastated by the accident, as you could imagine. Those of us who searched for reasons why this happened now have a little truth that has come forward.

I remember so vividly when the now arrested boy cried out at Bryan's funeral, "Bryan, it's not your fault". Now, after two years of sorrow and wonder, we know more about why. The kids who were in the other car kept quiet until now. Too, bad they didn't tell this to the parents who sued the crap out of Bryan's parents for "wrongful death".

Moral: don't race on the streets, do it on the strip or the track. Learn how to handle your car at an SCMC-sponsored event. The world will be safer if you do.

wbpo · 08-04-2003, 10:18 AM

David,

I posted the note because, call me old fashioned, I think iit is irrisponsible for ANY responsible organization to promote or glorify "Kill Stories". It just purpetuates the problem.

Barrett

Aaron94 · 08-05-2003, 03:58 PM

I dont think the organization "perpetuates" street racing. i suppose this forum is for kills made on the track, as well as the street, it just seems the street kills tend to make it here more often.

wbpo · 08-05-2003, 06:18 PM

At least one group understands the issue...

Corral.Net

08-03-2003, 09:15 AM	#1
wbpo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 15	Four Teens Killed In High-Speed Wreck 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

08-03-2003, 11:41 PM	#2
redsnake99 SCMC Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: NV, NY, SC Posts: 1,241	Bryan Reaves wa my son Terry's best friend and he was devastated by the accident, as you could imagine. Those of us who searched for reasons why this happened now have a little truth that has come forward. I remember so vividly when the now arrested boy cried out at Bryan's funeral, "Bryan, it's not your fault". Now, after two years of sorrow and wonder, we know more about why. The kids who were in the other car kept quiet until now. Too, bad they didn't tell this to the parents who sued the crap out of Bryan's parents for "wrongful death". Moral: don't race on the streets, do it on the strip or the track. Learn how to handle your car at an SCMC-sponsored event. The world will be safer if you do. __________________ Dave Stanfield - SCMC 424

08-05-2003, 03:58 PM	#4
Aaron94 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 308	I dont think the organization "perpetuates" street racing. i suppose this forum is for kills made on the track, as well as the street, it just seems the street kills tend to make it here more often. __________________ 1994 Rio Red Coupe #3564 304 ci, GT40X Aluminum Heads, Extrude Honed and Polished intake, Motorsport F303 cam, vortech fuel rails, 77 mm Pro-M mass air, 70mm BBK T-Body, Smog pump deletion, MSD and Perfomance distributors ignition components, Tremec 3550, Steeda Tri-axe, King Cobra/Centerforce clutch, Custom 3" Alum Driveshaft, 3.55 Gears, Griggs rear suspension w/torque arm & pan hard bar, Koni Red Shocks/Struts

08-04-2003, 10:18 AM	#3
wbpo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 15	David, I posted the note because, call me old fashioned, I think iit is irrisponsible for ANY responsible organization to promote or glorify "Kill Stories". It just purpetuates the problem. Barrett

08-05-2003, 06:18 PM	#5
wbpo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 15	At least one group understands the issue... Corral.Net

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