A report from the Florida Highway Patrol sheds further insight on the terrible incident that killed three Massachusetts high school students and left another in serious condition while they were on a spring break vacation to Florida.
Jimmy McIntosh, 18, and Hannah Wasserman, 17, both of Concord-Carlisle High School, were killed on April 21 around 9:30 p.m. when their car collided with a tractor-trailer on U.S. Highway 98 in Walton County.
Maisey O’Donnell, 18, another passenger in the automobile and Concord-Carlisle student, later died in the hospital. A fourth passenger, who has not been identified, was left in critical condition.
According to the crash report, McIntosh was travelling at speeds of around 110 MPH on the highway, which has a speed limit of 65 MPH.
McIntosh’s automobile collided with the tractor-trailer as it attempted to make a U-turn. It was apparently travelling at roughly 20 MPH and was driven by 19-year-old Kadyn DeWayne Ainsworth. He and his companion were uninjured in the crash.
The automobile, a Hyundai SUV, travelled over the highway before coming to rest “in the wood line on the south side of the highway,” according to an earlier report from the Florida Highway Patrol published by the source.
It is reported that McIntosh’s automobile lost its roof in the accident, citing a recent crash report.
According to the report, Ainsworth underwent drug and alcohol tests; however, the findings were not disclosed. Officials on the scene said they didn’t believe he was under the influence. McIntosh did not go through similar testing.
Lieutenant Jim Beauford, chief of public affairs for the Florida Highway Patrol, reported that this was being handled as a criminal investigation. He assured the outlet that no charges will be filed until the inquiry was complete.
“We understand the public’s desire for a fast resolution to these criminal investigations; however, it is more important that we conduct the best investigation possible for the people that are involved,” he told me via email.
Dr. Gary Howerton, who was on the highway at the time of the crash and attempted to assist those injured, told the Globe that McIntosh’s automobile “blew by me like I was standing still.”
He guessed that he was travelling at a speed of roughly 72 mph.
“My first impression was, ‘Oh no.’ Something bad is going to happen because of the way he was driving,” he said, noting that he heard the collision.
He told the publication that the truck looked to have enough time to perform the U-turn, adding, “This car was just going so fast.”
“It shouldn’t have happened,” he explained.
Coach Joe Chirico hailed O’Donnell, a state diving champion going for Williams College, as “humble with a kind heart”.
“The little kids looked up to her; the other divers looked up to her. It’s a tragedy that somebody at the top of their game, going to the best academic school, one of the best divers in the nation, was cut so short,” he said.
Her boyfriend Warren Hansel paid homage to her on Instagram: “There are so many things I love about you and so many things I’m going to miss,” he said, adding, “You are not just the love of my life, but also my best friend.”
