Two teens killed in wreck, other driver charged with manslaughter

By Steve Stone
The Virginian-Pilot

VIRGINIA BEACH — Two teenagers were killed late Friday in a collision on Virginia Beach Boulevard, and the man police said crashed into their car was charged with manslaughter.

“Both speed and alcohol were factors in this fatality,” Jimmy Barnes, a police spokesman, said today. “It’s tragic, is all I can say.”

Barnes identified the victims as Allison Kunhardt, 17, of the 700 block of Sir Walter Circle and believed to be a student at First Colonial High School, and Tessa Tranchant, 16, of the 4500 block of Genoa Circle and believed to be a Kellam High School student.

Charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter is Alfredo Ramos, 22, of the 100 block of Trace Court. He is being held without bond at the city jail pending an arraignment hearing Monday.

The wreck was reported about 11:25 p.m. at the intersection of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Kings Grant Road.

Barnes said a 1998 two-door Mitsubishi, driven by Ramos, was westbound on Virginia Beach Boulevard when it crashed into the rear of a 1994 Plymouth driven by Kunhardt.

The Plymouth was stopped at a traffic light at the Kings Grant intersection, Barnes said.

Kunhardt and Tranchant were pinned in the wreckage and had to be cut free before paramedics could tend to them.

One of the girls died at the scene; the other was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at a hospital, Barnes said. Both had been wearing seat belts, he said.

Ramos also was wearing a seat belt and suffered only minor injuries, Barnes said.

Ramos, who told police he works as a waiter, spoke only minimal English, Barnes said.

It was unclear how fast the vehicle Ramos was driving was going at the time of the crash or whether he attempted to stop before the collision. The speed limit in that area is posted at 45 mph.

Barnes said investigators are still working on the crash probe and that additional details may be released Monday.