CHESAPEAKE
They planned to see a movie at MacArthur Center that Saturday.
Stephanie Barnett picked up Taylor Hayes from work. Stephanie always did stuff like that. The girls had been best friends since Stephanie moved to the neighborhood four years earlier. She was 18, two years older than Taylor, with a car and a driver's license and a 6-month-old baby.
They went home first so Taylor could change from a gray T-shirt to one with spaghetti straps. Afterwards, the girls picked up Taylor's boyfriend, Jeff Prindle, and headed to Norfolk.
They never did see the movie. After a little shopping - Taylor paid for some new shirts at American Eagle at 5:45 p.m. - the teenagers headed back to Chesapeake for dinner.
Jeff buckled up. Taylor and Stephanie didn't. Jeff survived. Taylor and Stephanie didn't.
They were on Interstate 664 just miles from the girls' Western Branch neighborhood when Stephanie lost control of the car at 6:14 p.m. Police said she was driving about 75 mph.
It ran off the road into a ditch and flipped, flinging both girls from the car. When passers-by stopped to help, Jeff was still buckled in.
Almost three weeks later, Taylor's and Stephanie's families are struggling. As far as they knew, their daughters usually wore seat belts. They believe the girls would have survived the wreck if they had.
Sixty-three percent of the 4,842 16- to 20-year-olds who died in vehicle accidents in 2006 weren't wearing seat belts, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported last month. That's despite laws and education campaigns that have been around at least as long as today's teens.
Young people aren't the only ones failing to buckle up - of 83 fatal car crashes involving all ages in South Hampton Roads in 2006, 34 weren't wearing seat belts.
Nationwide, 55 percent of all those killed in traffic wrecks in 2006 were not restrained,
according to the federal agency.
Still, teens tend to be the risk-takers, said Ellen Martin, administration spokeswoman. "Teenagers believe they are immortal."
Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for that age group, Martin said. "It's a stunning reality."
There's a table now in the Hayeses' sunroom, right by the door, filled up with a young girl's life: a high school yearbook signed days before her death, a National Junior Honor Society certificate, photos in frames. There is Taylor as a toddler in a polka-dot dress on the beach, Taylor in a ballet tutu, Taylor at her first job in an ice cream shop where she'd told the owner his coupons should offer a discount rather than freebies.
The family needed a place for everything brought home from the funeral, said Taylor's mother, Tammy Hayes. So they put it here, in the room that leads out to the backyard where she and her husband, Greg, last saw their daughter.
Greg was in the swimming pool that last day of May, and Tammy was cleaning the house. She watched Taylor leave, and was taken by how cute she looked in a new purple miniskirt with her hair up.
At 16, she was coming into her own.
"I'm living and loving life," Taylor had written in her journal the month before she died. "I have a wonderful boyfriend, family and friends. I do good in school, and I've learned to love myself."
Taylor didn't look much different in the ambulance a few hours later, Tammy said. She had some scrapes and bruises. But, "she looked peaceful."
She died before rescue workers got there.
"She was always telling everybody to buckle up," Tammy said.
"I think you can say she'd more than likely be here if she'd been wearing a seat belt," Greg said.
"And Stephanie," Tammy added.
The older girl lived two doors down with her mother, Karen Ferrara, her stepfather, a younger brother and sister and her baby, Riley.
Karen wanted Stephanie to go to Wal-Mart with her that afternoon. But Stephanie wanted to go out with friends, so Karen said she could help unpack the car later.
Rescue workers revived Stephanie at the scene, Karen said, but she died a short time later at the hospital.
Stephanie had graduated from high school a year early and was going to Tidewater Community College.
She was working and volunteering for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - she'd been diagnosed with the disease at age 6. She was raising Riley with her family's help.
Now that job is left to Karen, a stay-at-home mother.
She was on the scene of the accident, too, and remembers seeing the car flipped over in the ditch. It looked awful, like no one could have survived. Then, a few days ago, she found photos of the towed car, now upright.
"I didn't even think it was from the accident," Karen said.
But it was. The hood wasn't dented. Everything inside was intact.
"To see this car and to know that they would be here if they had buckled their seat belts, it's just the most horrible feeling you could imagine," Karen said. "They may have broken an arm or a leg, or gotten a concussion. But they would be here."
A week after the crash, Tammy went to Karen's house.
Two weeks after, Karen went to Tammy's with her favorite picture of their girls together. Both had startling blue eyes so similar they could have passed for sisters.
It helps to have each other, the women say.
And it helps to know that the loss of their daughters may prevent future deaths.
After the accident, students at Western Branch High School, where Taylor had been a freshman and Stephanie had graduated in 2007, began signing a pledge promising to always wear their seat belts and encourage others to do the same.
It began in Catherine Albertson's history class, Taylor's first period. It was therapy for the young teacher who had never lost a student, and therapy for the teenagers. Taylor's row emptied that Monday back at school because the students said it felt too weird to sit there.
Classmate Mark Fatico's mother suggested the pledge. Taylor had been his Greek mythology project partner.
He signed.
Cristen Cottrell signed. They'd shared a few classes together.
Sometimes, Cristen would stop by Taylor's work for some ice cream.
It was awful, she said, seeing her one day and knowing she was gone the next. She wrote a poem and left it on the grave site.
Tyler Campbell signed.
Taylor was his first girlfriend, back in elementary school. He'd given her a necklace.
More than 1,000 others signed the book beneath a pink banner on their lunch breaks the last week of school.
That banner lay across the Hayes' dining room table this week. The book full of signatures sat on the table in the sunroom.
Taylor and Stephanie planned to be teachers.
Their parents say, now, that job falls to them.
Kristin Davis, (757) 222-5208, kristin.davis@pilotonline.com
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I'm shocked
I'm truly stunned that this discussion hasn't deteriorated into a "police are spending too much time writing parking tickets at the Oceanfront than enforcing seat belt laws." argument. I truly am. Good job everyone.
this may be cold
So far in my time here in Virginia I have this state has the rudest drivers in anywhere I have seen
Viginians seem to blame out of stater but you know what it would not surprise me in anyway the someone changed lanes and didnt use there trun singels to let them know they were changing lanes
In most states you get a tickit for failing to use one here even the police dont use them
Get with it for the safty of others use them, dont let other pay for your lack of respect of the road and just maybe things like this would not happen
They would be here...
Pity the tragic loss of two young lives from the WB community, but the facts of the accident, both obvious and contributory say it all. The obvious facts are that an in-experienced driver, with two underage kids riding with her is distracted by (pick any one) joking, talking, not paying attention to the road, stereo blaring, singing, talking on a cell, possible even texting, you get the picture, fails to wear the law required seatbelt, exceeds the speed limit, loses control and results in fatalities. Now for the secondary, what parent in their right mind would put the above in-experienced driver behind the wheel of a high powered sports car knowing they'll automatically push the limits of their abilities and vehicle to the max as soon as they're out of the neighborhood? It's time for the adults to roger-up, be the parent by showing some responsibility and get control of their kids.
Taylor and Stephanie
This is a story about 2 great teens who loved God and loved life. They were and will continue to be loved greatly by their parents, family, and friends. This is not just about seatbelt safety but it’s about how even you can be gone in flash of a second on a miss calculation of judgment. They were teens going home to just chill. A deer could have run in front of the car at 45mph and all could have died- with or without seat belts if it was God’s plan. HE is the giver of life and tells us in the Bible that our life is like a vapor; it’s here then it’s gone. Taylor and Stephanie knew this and embraced it. Taylor learned to love herself and found her true love on earth for her short life. I'm her cousin and I have read good and bad comments about this. God has given me a peace with her passing, yes I cry, yes sometimes I can't sleep but it’s all because she is with Jesus. Taylor wrote a poem- "Does God put us through hell on earth so that we will be amazed at His wonders in heaven." She knew God loved the world and her. God gives everyone choices, because HE wants us to come to HIM in time of trouble. That’s what my whole family did and still is doing. Psalms 75:1- We give
Chess et al.
I think their deaths are being 'memorialized' because they were too young to lose their lives this early and in this fashion. There have been numerous accidents involving kids their age and younger that have resulted in unnecessary deaths.
If you've ever seen that Allstate commerical about the 6000+ teens that die each year in auto-related accidents - this touches really close to home. The Tidewater community has contributed more than enough to that national average already this year with these girls and the other child deaths that have been reported. This is the Pilot's way of being socially responsible to their readership and community.
Forgotten Thank You
As a neighbor of the two girls, Taylor and Stephanie, I am very proud of the families for the strength shown and the desire to help others even as they have just begun healing.
I am disappointed, however, in the piece which ran today after consoling promises were made by a reporter yesterday--only to be ignored in the writing of the article. The families wanted the opportunity to thank the community for such an outpouring of support and prayers and especially the employees and patrons of Sonic because of the fundraiser held and the love and support offered.
The reporter, instead, left out words to thank the community and requests to have the girls photo as the main picture for the article in the paper.
Please know that these are two wonderful girls whose reputations could never be questioned...they simply did good things and were good to others....they were not reckless, wild teens; they were in an accident.
Just know that the families wanted to say thank you to everyone.
Donna Unterbrink
I'll tell ya chess
Tragedy to pretty white girls make for good news stories. Natalie Holloway ring a bell? How big was that story? It is a tragedy and it is a shame that 2 very young girls are gone and that there is now another baby who will have to be raised by grandparents. I guess maybe the attention will help others to try to make better decisions.
Blame the Parents
I see kids driving new and souped up cars all the time. What happened to getting the kids a beater and letting them fix it up? Low powered, let the kids learn on it. Couple a hot car to cellphones, texting, stereos....this is a recipe for disaster.
I know the parents are suffering with this loss. If they purchased this car for their child, they bear some responsibility. I just hope the parents out there reinforce their own responsibility and make sure their kids buckle up, and take their feet off the gas.
Worth remembering . . .
The whole point is to try to knock some sense into the heads of people who still don't used their seat belts.
Chesschamp and falconski
The pilot and Ms Davis are not really morbid or picking on these girls. Did it ever occur that it might just be a plea for people to wear thier seatbelts and have a better chance of survival.
I hope you wear yours and I hope that the Police never have to knock on your parents or loved ones door.
People die in accidents everyday
I don't see the pilot memorializing others' deaths like it is doing for these two. Why is the Pilot treating these two deaths differently? Is the public's level of sympathy higher as opposed to two teenage boys or two older women? The paper is giving their deaths special treatment.
Article with a message
This article has an important message to get across to everyone: we need to be careful each and every time we get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Our only responsibility when driving is that: DRIVING. When we first get in the vehicle, we need to make certain that everything is safe: that we and our passengers are buckled in. As another person wrote here: we need to leave ourselves plenty of time to get where we are going so we don't have to push the speed limit. While we're driving, we need to keep our attention on road and what is going on around us. That means NO CELL PHONES, no eating, reading or looking for things while we're driving. And yes, parents DO set the standards for their children: if they see you speeding, no matter what you tell them, they will think it is okay. If they see you not wearing seat belts, they won't wear them. Also, always make certain the vehicle is safe to operate with good tires and operating equipment. Tragedies such as this can be averted, but we have to take the time to do things right.
My brush with eternity last year.
Around this time last year, I was riding shotgun, helping a 16 year old relative learn how to drive. We were heading down one of those "one lane in each direction.....ditch on each side" roads at a normal speed, and wearing seat belts. His cell phone rang....he looked down and started trying to fish it out of his pocket. In one second, we were heading for the ditch off the right hand lane.
Thank God no cars were around us, and that he (with my assist) rode the gravel, then eased the car back on the blacktop before we hit the the ditch. I took that damned phone from him, and shut it off. All "lessons" after that moment included me holding his phone until the drives were over.
I consider the cell phone the world's greatest kid accessory, and the worst driver distraction ever invented. I have no idea if that played a role in this tragedy, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did.
What's the point...
of this article. It's a tragedy yes, but one that happens everyday. The loss is there, no need to revisit things, just let them rest in peace. The whole thing is pretty morbid actually...
What else went wrong?
Not to minimize the lack of seat belt wearing, but what caused this single car accident in good weather? The speeding isn't enough. Was the driver talking or texting on her cell phone, were the passengers distracting her in some fashion, or was there something else? I'm not looking to assign blame, but in additon to telling our kids to wear seat belts, finding out what happened might give us something else to warn them about before it's too late. The survivor should know.
PRIORITIES
Y'all sure are quick to tell folks how to raise their kids. Check your own bedrooms and backyard, okay? Hope you are as quick to practice as you are to preach. Especially those of you who are always perfect.
What eighteen year old NEEDS or has the driving experience to control a sports car? NONE.
What eighteen year old can be told anything they don't already know? NONE, but you tell them anyway, if you are doing your parenting/teaching job.
Sometimes, they get it now, sometimes later, sometimes never. Yeah, teenagers should have better sense, but for Pete's sake, sometimes they just don't.
Kind of like the way most of you drive! And the language you use and the example you set is WHAT???
THE WAY YOUR KIDS DRIVE AND BEHAVE.
For everyone's sake, PLEASE:
Calm down.
Leave earlier.
Drive like your two year old is in the backseat all the time.
Leave earlier.
Calm down.
Buckle up.
Try the turn signal indicator occasionally.
Calm down.
Leave earlier.
Drive Gently.
Practice random acts of kindness. And compassion for a grieving family YOU have no right throwing stones at.
My very deepest condolences to the families and friends.
Make the driving age 18
The driving age should be 18. Have them complete 2 years of driver training including seat belt use.
My thoughts and prayers go
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these young ladies. I would also like to thank them for sharing at this very difficult time. It is a very admirable act.
"As far as they knew, their daughters usually wore seat belts."
Usually? IMHO, most kids emulate their parents to some degree; following the examples set on a daily basis. Some call it "learned behavior". Not to denigrate the families in their time of grief, but I wonder if Taylor's and Stephanie's parents/families likewise "usually" wear their seatbelts?
I can recall the first "new" car my parents bought - a 1966 Pymouth Belvedere. The only available "options" were: a radio, a heater, and seatbelts. My parents opted for setbelts (shoulder harnesses not included!). Everywhere we went, the seatbelts went "click" before the car moved. When I had my four teenage accidents in MY first car, I was buckled in each time. My kids have likewise had their own accidents, and their seatbelts saved them each time; in my youngest's accident, his three passengers were not buckled in, and one died.
One year, two years, ten years from now, I'd like to know how many of the 1000 kids that signed that pledge will still be honoring it...
Hey Guns.....
Here is the deal. I have made plenty of mistakes in my life, but most never involved making decisions that would risk my life.
Each day I have to read about another tragedy that could have been prevented, caused by someone who was wreckless and didn't seem to care who they would hurt.....specifically in this case, the child that now has to be raised without a mom.
When will enough be enough. We all need to be more responsible so that we don't have to have these stories ever again.
I remember being 18
I remember being 18, and 16. You can tell your children to be safe and buckle up every day but kids just aren't wired to think ahead to the consequences. But I can guarantee that their classmates will be thinking about them every time they get in a car- probably forever. And a few lives will be saved from that. God bless those families, it really could happen to anyone.
Man-o-man
The worst part of this wasn't the words written, I found them touching, but the next 2 pictures. The one with the baby and the pictures is just horribly heart-breaking, that child will never know its mother. Regardless if she was 18 or 35 a child’s love for its mother is the same. Then there is the last picture where you can see how obvious it is that if they stayed in the car, b/c of seatbelts, they would be here today.
Praying for the students
It is so true that many teenagers feel that they are immortal. I facilitate driving classes on Saturdays, and it ceases to amaze me (unfortunately) that many teenagers are oblivious to the dangers of speeding and not wearing a seat belt. I've heard a startling amount of young men brag on doing a "buck +" on the Interstates (a buck means 100 miles). I share stories like this, to show that things happen close to home all the time. An analogy that I use seems to hit home with them regarding the risk of not being belted in. Albeit exaggerated, they get the point. I ask: What if you declined to be locked in by a harness on a roller coaster ride? What if you told the ride attendant, "It's okay; I'm good; I will brace myself?" Based upon the sparkle in their eyes and the laughter, I know they get the point; I just hope it sticks with them. Prayerfully, this tragedy will yield a legacy of changing mindsets of teen drivers. How many more will it take? I extend my sympathy to the parents of the two young ladies and the young man, this will be hard for him to process as well. May God strengthen you and instill peace that surpasses all understanding. Sincerely,
tragic loss
My son was taken from us 2 days before his 21st birthday. He too would be here today had he worn his seatbelt. My 7 yr old daughter won`t let us forget to "Put Your Straps On" every day. There is nothing anyone can say to help ease the pain of a loss so severe. Just keep positive thoughts & know you will meet again...
driving too fast
How about the fact that police estimated that she was also driving 75 mph? Speeding and not wearing a seatbelt is a bad combination. Speeding puts OTHER drivers at risk. Not wearing a seatbelt puts you at risk. It's sad that these girls lost their lives, but it could have been avoided.
Same thing happened on OBX
In 1999 a car with 4 girls and 1 guy was hit by a drunk driver. The guy was wearing a seatbelt and survived. The girls were not wearing seat belts and were killed. Always wear a seat belt - not so much for your driving but to protect yourself against the other drivers.
What has seemed to work
for us was making sure that, from the day that they were out of booster seats, the kids realized that the car did not move until everybody had their seatbelt on.
But even if kids learn this growing up, they sometimes do dangerous things in their teen years. I am very sorry for the loss of these young people and their families pain.
A terrible shame and yet...
The death of these two young women *is* a terrible tragedy, and yet it is hard to feel sorry for anyone not wearing a seatbelt AND driving 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit of 55 MPH. Did the other two occupants of the vehicle ask their friend to obey the law and slow down? Was there a distraction in the vehicle, such as the driver using a cell phone, or brushing her hair, or doing any of a number of things we have all witnessed other careless drivers doing when they should have been paying attention to the road? Really, what has happened to personal responsibility? Blaming these deaths on not wearing seatbelts does not excuse reckless behavior. These are not easy words to write, and they are probably not easy to read, either. But rather than just two deaths, what if the reckless actions of the driver and her friends resulted in a collision with a school bus, for example, where countless more lives could have been lost?
even more unnecessry
Even more unnecessary is is the family, friends and loved ones of these girls having to pick up the paper or log on to the Pilot online and see this thrown in their faces again. The fact that they weren't wearing seatbelts was established and publicized after the accident and commented on heavily in the comments column. The Pilot should let these young girls who made a terrible mistake rest in peace and give peace to their families and loved one's as well. The time for public notice and debate on this particular tragedy is over. If you were going to write a separate article about seatbelts, you should've done it at the time. Now people have to log on or pick up the paper and see these faces again after not having time to get over their loss yet. Low class as usual VP. Keep sellin' those papers though.
Unnecessary
I feel sorry for the families involved. It is hard to lose a family member. I hope everyone reading this article, including all mothers, all fathers, all boyfriends/girlfriends, husband/wives, and kids realize that these deaths of these two girls was needless. Please don't be one that says, "It won't happen to me." I am sure the girls said the same thing. I won't start my car until everyone has a seatbelt on. I don't drive down the driveway without my seat belt on. I know that kids aren't the only ones who die in accidents becuase of seatbelts, but please, I beg to the parents/guardians of all kids driving, Have them read this article or show them video of what happens when they don't have a seatbelt on, and enforce the rules. If you realize they didn't wear their seatbelt when they were in the car, take away their driving privileges, until they understand how serious it is if you don't wear a seat belt. I don't want to see any more needless deaths.