VIRGINIA BEACH
Three Green Run High School seniors were killed Friday afternoon when the car they were in crossed the center line on a rural stretch of Salem Road and was hit by a van.
The three had left the nearby Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center, where they took classes, six minutes earlier.
It was raining, and 18-year-old Matthew Kirkbride was apparently speeding around a slick curve in the 2700 block of Salem Road when he lost control of his Volkswagen, police said.
The driver of the van couldn't avoid the car, slamming into the passenger side and pushing it into a ditch.
The impact killed Kirkbride and two 17-year-old passengers: Joseph Jenkins, who was in the front seat, and Adam Ross Sherman, who was sitting in the back. All the teens were wearing their seat belts, police said.
The driver of the van walked away from the crash bloodied and was hospitalized with broken bones. Authorities did not release his name.
"It sounded like a huge explosion," said Dennis Chandler, who rushed out of his home and saw the mangled vehicles.
Chandler said the driver had gotten out of the van. He was bleeding from the head and appeared to have injured his leg.
Chandler said the man told him that there were two cars traveling in his direction at the time and he couldn't avoid both.
"They were flying around the curve like they were racing," Chandler said he was told. "He said he missed the first car."
Police spokesman Adam Bernstein said crash investigators were trying to determine whether the sedan was racing or attempting to pass another car. He said it didn't appear that the van driver was at fault.
The accident occurred at 1:56 p.m. in light rain less than two miles from the North Landing Road school.
Police closed Salem Road for more than three hours while they investigated the crash. They had to cut off the car's roof to extract the teens, who were pronounced dead at the scene.
"Kids from the school always come flying around the curve here," Chandler said. "I'm really sorry someone died."
According to city records, there have been eight reported crashes within a mile of the fatal scene since the beginning of 2007. The speed limit on the two-lane stretch of Salem Road is 35 mph.
Kevin Pace, an electronics instructor at the technology center, said the school's director, David C. Swanger, often warns students over the school's public address system to drive carefully.
"He's always been very proactive about letting the kids know to drive safely," Pace said.
Eileen Cox, a Beach public schools spokeswoman, said principals from both schools the students attended would phone or e-mail messages to parents Friday night alerting them to the accident.
She said there will be extra counselors at Green Run and the technical center Monday.
"As you can imagine, it's very upsetting to everyone at the school," Cox said. "Our thoughts are with their families, the teachers and their classmates."
Kirkbride's grandmother, Linda Kirkbride, reached Friday evening, said he had just turned 18 and this was his first year driving back and forth to school.
"It was just the rain. H e lost control," Linda Kirkbride said. "Please, all these young boys out there driving, please be careful."
Duane Bourne, (757) 222-5150, duane.bourne@pilotonline.com
John Warren, (757) 222-51114, john.warren@pilotonline.com
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I did'nt really know
I didn't really know them..but I went to school with them..and I spoken to Matt before..but I find it funny how yall have the audacity sit up here and talk on this mess about lessons being learned and pointing fingers around finding someone to blame..this is someones life and family..and it really doesnt matter what the situation was it was an accident and I couldnt imagine having to go through that.. especially with them being so young... so I send my deepest condolences out to every family that has been affected by this tragedy.....
terrible loss
People will always be mean, and you can not control that. What happened Friday was terrible, and for three young lives to be taken....no words. We were all young,and made mistakes and some still do! Let the families, friends greive for their loved ones. How can you blame anyone for this, it was an accident! I am sure the pain will never go away and for the kids at Green Run, I hope you can only learn and remember your follow students.
GRHS
for everybody out there saying negative things about matt and his driving. spare us. he was a good kid and a good driver. people who dont know him need to shut there mouths about him. unless you went to school with him, dont play it off and act like you know him when you dont. people are forgetting that we didnt just loose three young lives. we lost friends, family memembers, sons, grandsons, nephews, brothers, boyfriends. this is a tragedy in itself for us at green run and our community. we need to stop trying to make this accident a lesson for other drivers and take it in for what it really is... a heart wrenching accident that not only killed 3, but affected a whole community. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Adam Ross Sherman, and Joseph Jenkins also. As a sister who loves her brothers more than life itself and knows what its like to lose, i can only imagine what you must be feeling right now. My deepest condolences reach out to you in this time of need.
-chelsea and the class of 2009 stallions
Prayers
As a parent of a senior at GRHS, my thoughts and prayers (along with my family's) go out to the parents, family, friends and family of GRHS during this time of need. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the driver of the van and his family as well. May the staff, students and everyone at GRHS come together as one and help each through this tragedy.
"Accident" that killed 3 teens
To all the families & friends of these young men, I offer my deepest sympathy & many prayers. 1 prayer is that you'll ignore the ignorance from those that think they're "perfect" & "perfect" drivers & want to blame your sons. You DO NOT need or deserve such assinine comments, & please realize the majority of us understand & sympathize. From what I've heard, they were fine young men. May God comfort you in your time of grief. "Accident", that's right "Accident" - for those of you who think you're perfect & want to judge & blame these young men at this tragic time, this is the definition: "Anything that happens unexpectedly, undesignedly, or without known cause", also, "Any unplesant or unfortunate occurence involving injury, loss, suffering or death".... It wasn't planned or on purpose, if, and that's IF the young man driving was speeding, he wasn't doing anything that most, if not ALL of us, do every day, including those offering the negative comments. He was young, & not as experienced as some of us, so?? We've all been young & inexperienced drivers before, heck some of us are "experienced" & make mistakes every day, & any day & any time this article could be about us. Do yo
love m,y kids
As far as everyone wanting to blame Matt, please ok this could have happen to anyone there is no blame here. These boys were good kids and if you knew them then you knew that!!
Let Matt rest along with his family does any one have compasion, there really is no blame things happen remember thats why its called accidents
dont blame anyone. I am sure the driver of the van will feel so much pain even knowing it wasnt his fault but these were kids and any grown human would feel so bad. I pray for everyone involved. LIke i said before i knew these kids JoJo was like a son to me and I wont let anyone bad name any of these kids because they were young, we all make mistakes, we were all young at some time in our lives dont forget that.
I love you JoJo you wil never be forgotten, Matt and Adam I love you and my prayers with your families
Been there, seen that
I was once an "immortal" teenager, but have witnessed more than a few of my peers who wouldn't make it to middle age as a wrecker operator and as a first responder. Getting to cover the bodies of those who aren't any older than you and sending them to the morgue is a sobering experience.
Driver Education is a JOKE in our society and our "I'm not at fault" mentality only serves to reinforce the misguided idea that we can pretty much get away with it because hey, the rules don't apply to me. Where are we failing our teen drivers? We are failing them by giving them too little driver education and cars that can out-perform their abilities. We are failing them by allowing them to drive cars with radios so loud they can be heard for blocks at speeds they can't yet adjust for and allowing fate to decide if they live or die. I'm in favor of governors on a teens car-they govern semi's, why not teens?
My throughts are with the parents who must now bury their children and my prayers are for those parents who have yet to receive that dreaded knock on their door. Train your teen drivers well-it will save their lives.
i went to school with matt
The last comment that i wanted to post was far to long to be placed here. however, it makes me cry that you people was would speak of the dead in this way. it makes me cry that you people would speak so wrongfully of Matt and not even know him. for all you that havn't thank you. but i'm still sadden by you. Matt wasn't the only person in the car, and you people seem to think so. Jojo and Adam were their to. why can't you say anything about them?
I wish to extend my deepest
I wish to extend my deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the families of the young men who lost their lives in VA Beach.
Only someone who has suffered the same tremendous loss can completely understand what these families are going through. There is nothing more painful any parent will experience than burying their child.
You are all in my prayers and thoughts.
I went to school with Matt,
I went to school with Matt, Jojo, and Adam. I knew of Adam but I had never actually met him. I dated Jojo last year; he was also in my English class. As for Matt whom most of you seem to be so focused on, he was in History class last year and my English class this year. I didn’t know Adam, so I can’t really say a lot of good things about him, but from the things that I have heard in school he was nice, sweet, funny, and really loyal. I’m really sorry for the people that knew him, and think that I didn’t do him justices by saying only that and I’m sorry to his family for there lost.As for Jojo he was like my best friend. It was weird dating him but this year was nice, because every time I saw him, right after lunch on b-days around 11 or so he would hug me, and I’d try to steal his hat. I feel sorry for his family, but mostly for his sister, because I know her and she also goes to Green Run. I understand that a lot of people reading this don’t really care about this because isn’t just about Matt, but he was the only one that died. Matt was a wonderful person as loyal as Adam, and as sweet as Jojo. Matt wasn’t stupid and it bothers that on the day they died all of
From someone who understands................
My heart is aching for the families and friends of these three boys. My thoughts and prayers are with them. I can all to well relate to this senseless tragedy as I lost my younger and only brother/sibling Eric in a car accident very similar to this one on December 9, 2000. He had just turned 19 years old. For whatever reason, a higher power called upon these three young men along with my brother. These young men must have been needed or selected for something far greater and more important than we could understand. At least this is what I like believe, but it is still so hard to comprehend why things like this happen. I would also like to extend my thoughts and best wishes to driver of the other vehicle. I wish for that individual a road to recovery, physically and mentally. People often fail to realize how much situations like this impact the surviving victims, whatever their role in the accident. My brother's best friend was involved in and eye witness to my brother's accident/death. I cannot begin to tell you or fully imagine the emotional roller coaster that he has been on since my brother's death. Again, I send my heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the families and
my peers
ive known matt and joe for 7 years now and i cant imagine this has actually happend to us. i just think that people need to look up and stop blaming eachother for something you cant even control!! i am so strucken by this and im sure everyone else is to.. just stop with all the hatered and he should have been 21. it was legal. so get over it. cant we all just stop and think about these families and friends and classmates of these 3 young boys and just think how you would be feeling if that was you or your family..
love to those who lost their lives
Joesph Jenkins was one of my best friends. He was like a brother to me. I've known him for only a year and a half but it seems like so much longer. We had so many laughs together, especially when we would all go play pool or when he would randomly start singing counrty music out of nowhere. He was there for me in my times of need, i will be strong for his family like he was strong for me. He has so many friends that love him dearly, we will all miss him, and we will always remember the good times we had with him. It was no ones fault for the crash. Everyone has speeded around a corner one time or another. People can blame whomever they want but it honestly was a accident. We need to be strong for all three families in their time of need. may you now rest in peace JoJo. Your spirit will always live on.
Comment
My heart is heavy today...as a father of a teenager I can deeply sympathize and empathize with the families. Words and tears cannot express the depth of this tragedy. I offer you my heartfelt condolences although I know that is of little comfort. Do not pay any attention to those who offer shallow opinions of blame based on a news report. Their ignorance and unfeeling attitudes are not worth your attention. Focus on the love of those in the community who share your loss.
For those who seem to feel the need to point fingers and lecture us....spare us...I sincerely hope you never have to feel the pain your words have inflicted.
To the driver of the van I wish you a speedy recovery and I hope that you have the support you need in this time of crisis.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the...
families, Mr Shanks and the rest of the students in those programs. Please be more careful out there people, you never know what's coming around the corner. Work hard, do your job right and get home safely.
Prayers
I am deeply saddened to hear of this tragic accident and pray for all of the families involved. Knowing the survivor of the van I can say he has a long road ahead of him. True broken bones can be fixed however a man who has a love for kids w/ 2 teenage children of his own, he will never forget the accident. It will haunt him in his sleep- every time he gets behind the wheel- every day of his life. He is in my thoughts and prayers as well as all of the families and friends of the boys. With deepest sympathy. Hold onto your memories. Heal together. May they never be forgotten.
JayMay17
Your comments truly moved me because I realized the students in the accident were guys just like you. You will remember this the rest of your life. What a tragedy, and I hope you will take a leadership role at school Monday to help others sort out their thoughts as well as you did. God bless you and your classmates.
R.I.P. to these young men
Matthew Kirkbride was a lifelong friend of my son's and a neighbor for many many years until we recently moved into the neighboring PA School District. He was one of the most kindhearted, imaginative, mannerly, and wonderful young men i have ever known. My son is inconsolable. I am beside myself. My heart breaks for the families of all these young men. As the mother of a high school senior myself, i cannot imagine the pain that must be searing through these peoples lives right now. Matthwew, you are in the arms of God right now, and I know you are safe. To all families involved, i will be praying for you, with the hopes that peace and healing come soon. This is a incomprehensible tragedy for us all.
joshk_in_vb
Thank you for the reminder. I had read this before. I have printed it to give to my grandsons. My thoughts and prayers go out for all involved in this tragic accident. May God be with and comfort all of you.
Matthew Kirkbride was a fine
Matthew Kirkbride was a fine young man who continued to be successful in school and in his technical career class as he looked forward to graduation. He was a caring, compassionate and responsible individual with a heart of gold. I shall miss seeing his wonderful smile as he walked down the hall. My prayers and sympathy to Matthew's wonderful grandmother and to Joe's and Adam's families during this tragic ordeal.