THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 2, 1995 TAG: 9511020421
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Police on Wednesday released the names of victims of a car crash on Shore Drive that claimed one life Tuesday night.
Eric C. Paris, 21, was killed when the car he was driving near the west gate of Fort Story went out of control and burst into flames.
Police spokesman Lou Thurston said the car was traveling at a high rate of speed when it ran off the road, re-entered the highway and ran off again. The car struck a tree and split in two before burning, Thurston said.
Paris, of the 8800 block of Semmes Ave. in Norfolk, died at the scene.
Three occupants of the car, all from Norfolk, crawled away from the wreckage, Thurston said.
They were identified as:
Eric S. Murray, 23, of the 100 block of Burrage Road.
Mark M. Davis, 21, of the 1200 block of East Ocean View Ave.
Mindy Bradley, 16, of the 500 block of Ashlawn Drive.
All were taken to Virginia Beach General Hospital. Davis was treated and released. Murray and Bradley remained in fair condition Wednesday.
Thurston said alcohol and speed were factors in the crash, which occurred about 9:30 p.m. Bradley and Davis, both riding in the rear, were wearing seat belts, he said. Paris and Murray were not.
Nearly 60 people have died in automobile accidents on a 3.2-mile strip of Shore Drive in the northeast part of the city since 1977, police said.
City officials have been holding public hearings to determine how to make the road safer.
An engineering consultant was hired in January to analyze the hazards of Shore Drive between 83rd Street and Fort Story's west gate.
A report that is expected to recommend safety measures, primarily for the westbound lanes, is scheduled to go to the City Council within 45 days. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
L. TODD SPENCER
A firefighter inspects the wreckage of a car that struck a tree on
Shore Drive Tuesday night. A Virginia Beach police spokesman said
the car was traveling at a high rate of speed when it ran off the
road, re-entered the highway and ran off again. The car then struck
a tree and split in two before catching fire.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC FATALITY INJURIES by CNB