THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 27, 1995 TAG: 9511270051
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER AND STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
One teen was killed but another miraculously escaped serious injury late Saturday when both were thrown from a car after it ran off the road at high speed and slammed into some trees.
Earlier, as their car took off at speeds approaching 100 mph, the teens eluded a police officer who was pursuing them.
The driver of the car, who was killed, was identified as Antyreo R. Bryant, 17, of the 1900 block of Mill Landing Road. The passenger was identified as Johnal White, 17, of the 100 block Ackiss Ave.
Police spokesman Mike Carey said a K-9 officer on routine patrol in the 1200 block of General Booth Blvd. first noticed the maroon, 1983 Nissan Pulsar when it passed him just after 10:30 p.m. The car's taillights were out.
When the officer turned on his lights and siren, instead of stopping, the car speeded up.
The car turned left onto Birdneck Road and the officer lost sight of it as it rounded a curve near the Seatack fire station. At the time, the officer was going 55 mph.
The officer was driving a Chevrolet Blazer, not a regular police car, so the car he was chasing ``had the advantage,'' Carey said. The officer ``kept on going, but he couldn't keep up.''
A witness told police that the car passed him going between 90 mph and 100 mph.
About three-quarters of a mile down Birdneck Road, just beyond Bells Road, Bryant apparently lost control and the car veered off the left side of the street. He tried to steer the car back onto the road, but apparently overcorrected and the car went off the right side of the road, flew over a ravine and finally smashed into a stand of trees about 50 feet from the curb.
The car flipped over and landed on Bryant, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The pursuing officer discovered the wreck just moments after it occurred, but only noticed it because he saw a single, dim headlight in the woods.
Police were uncertain why Bryant refused to stop, but theorized that he may have feared the car he was driving had been reported stolen.
Bryant had borrowed the car about 2 p.m. Saturday from its owner, a female friend, with the understanding that he would return it in about an hour. Although it had not been returned by 10:30 p.m. - 8 1/2 hours after being loaned - it had not been reported stolen.
Police found evidence of alcohol at the scene of the wreck - a couple of wine bottles - but said Sunday that it was still uncertain if alcohol played a role in the accident.
Police said neither teenager had been wearing a seatbelt.
White was taken to Virginia Beach General Hospital where he was treated and released. He faces no charges. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
MARTIN GRUBE
Investigators search the scene of Saturday's car accident on
Birdneck Road. Police found wine bottles, but are uncertain if
alcohol played a role in the high-speed wreck.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC POLICE CHASE FATALITY by CNB