Drag racing blamed in fatal car collision

(Staten Island - WABC, July 24, 2007) (WABC) -- One teenager was killed and six others injured in a deadly crash on Staten Island. Authorities believe the kids were drag racing when the accident happened.

Mangled metal was all that remained of cars involved in the crash. It was split in half from the impact.

The accident happened at the intersection of Sharrotts and Veterans Road West in the Charleston section.

Eyewitness News reporter NJ Burkett has more from the hospital in Dongan Hills.

A law enforcement source familiar with the case says the two cars were doing more than 70 miles an hour at the time of impact. That is double the speed limit for that stretch of road. At least one of the teenagers is hospitalized with very serious injuries. Another was killed instantly.

The force of the impact ripped one car in half and sent two teenagers in the backseat hurtling through the air. One of them, 17-year-old Michelle Arout, was killed. The other, identified as 16-year-old Tommy Barclay, remains hospitalized under intensive care in critical condition.

The others range in age from 15 to 18 and suffered less serious injuries.

"Our prayers go out to the family and Michelle, and that's it," said the father of one boy, who declined to identify himself.

Investigators believe the two cars may have been drag racing along a winding road on Staten Island, where the speed limit is just 35 miles per hour.

The crash happened at 9 p.m. Monday, after the two cars somehow collided and skidded out of control. Investigators say one of the cars was equipped with a nitrous oxide tank, commonly used to boost an engine's horsepower.

Tonight, the Staten Island district attorney says a grand jury may be asked to consider criminal charges.

"It's senseless," DA Daniel Donovan said. "We have a young girl who was in high school, whose family now is suffering her loss. The trauma to the other people involved will stay with them for a very, very long time."

Jeanne Connolly lives on Staten Island with children of her own.

"They say, 'Why are you waiting up?'" she said. "I say you like to know that your kids are home safe. And it's not only them, it's the other drivers. And it can happen in a second."

Officials have confirmed the DMV records of one of the two drivers. He is identified as 18-year-old Anthony Reis. His violations include driving without a license, disobeying traffic device, dangerous driving, improper passing and license suspended. Altogether, he had five violations in 18 months.

The DMV could not confirm the record of the other driver, identified as 17-year-old Joe Donovan. The other passengers include: