The boyfriend of a teenager who was killed in a collision said his father was drinking when their car was struck by another vehicle, but he denied witness claims that drag racing was a factor in the crash, 10TV News reported Tuesday.
Brian Green said he and his girlfriend, Kristen Pressel, were driving to Circleville with his father on Saturday evening. They were trying to make a left turn when another car struck them from behind and pushed the car into oncoming traffic, 10TV's Lindsey Seavert reported.
"(The car) hit our back and our car shoved into the BMW and that was it," Green said.
Nikki Hymes, a freshman at The Ohio State University, was driving the BMW. She was transported to the hospital where she died.
Pressel, 18, was also killed in the crash. Her friends told 10TV News that she had learned one day before the crash that she was pregnant.
"I ask God everyday, why me, why her?" Green said. "She was beautiful in every way. If I could trade places with her, I would."
Police have a different account of what happened in the crash. They say the car crossed into
oncoming traffic and witnesses reported that the car was racing, Seavert reported.
Green said his father was speeding and under the influence.
"I jumped in the car with him, I would take it all back if I could," Green said.
Investigators have not released the name of the driver that caused the crash, but confirmed that alcohol and reckless driving were contributing factors.
At least one witness told 10TV that drag racing was a cause of the crash, 10TV's Glenn McEntyre reported.
Tommy, who asked that his last name not be released, said he witnessed a Thunderbird and Mustang speeding side by side while driving westbound on Morse Road.
"It was a drag race," Tommy said. "I'm willing to bet my life on it."
Tommy said he saw a passenger inside the Thunderbird stick their head out the window and yell at the person driving the Mustang.
"You could hear the Mustang with its clutch pressed in, goosing it and making it roar a little bit," Tommy said. "Next thing you know both cars are spinning their wheels and off they went."
Tommy said he was behind the Mustang and watched as the cars drove westbound on Morse Road. He said the Thunderbird passed several cars by using the center lane, McEntyre reported.
According to Tommy, the Thunderbird sideswiped a car traveling eastbound on Morse Road and swerved into oncoming traffic, striking a BMW head-on.
Green, who admitted that his father had been drinking, denied claims that his father was racing before the crash.
"We were kind of speeding a little bit, I'm going to be honest about that," Green said. "But as far as racing goes, no racing involved."
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Story:
November 10, 2008:
Friends Remember Teen Killed In Crash
November 8, 2008:
Alcohol May Have Played Factor In Fatal Crash
