In Memory of Michael Crane

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NBC4 News

POSTED: 4:47 PM EST December 29, 2003
UPDATED: 11:08 PM EST December 29, 2003
WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- Police in Virginia are investigating a deadly accident involving two workers at a car dealership in Woodbridge.
It happened just before 9 a.m. Monday on Route 1 near the intersection of Dale Boulevard and Neabsco Mills Road.

Investigators said Michael Morris, a 22-year-old mechanic at a car dealership, was taking a Chevrolet Corvette out for a test drive. Michael Joseph Crane, 18, who also works at the dealership, was also in the car.
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DEADLY CRASH Chopper4: Deadly Route 1 CrashFEEDROOM Corvette Crashes

Officers said Morris lost control of the car and crashed into an oncoming Chevrolet Astro van.
The Morris was thrown from the car and is listed in critical condition. His 18-year-old passenger died in the crash. Officers said neither was wearing a seat belt. No charges have been filed yet.

http://www.nbc4.com/news/2730741/detail.html

Crash Kills Dealership Employee, Injures Two Drivers
UPDATED - December 29, 2003 7:04pm

Dale City, Va. (AP) - An employee of a Prince William County (website - news) car dealership was killed in a crash involving a customer's car. The accident occurred just before 9 a.m. Monday when two employees of Lindsey Chevrolet drove north on U.S. One in a 1998 Corvette. Prince William County Police spokesman Dennis Mangan says that as the car crested a hill, the driver apparently lost control and spun sideways into a southbound mini van.

The passenger in the Corvette died instantly.

His name has not been released pending notification of relatives who live out of state.

Mangan says there was "nothing left of the car."

Mangan says that the owner of the car had given permission for the two employees to drive it.

The accident remains under investigation.
©Washingtonpost.com

From Newschannel 8 News:Crash Kills Dealership Employee, Injures Two Drivers
Location: Dale City, Va.Posted: December 29, 2003 8:04 PM ESTURL: http://www.newschannel8.net/news/stories/1203/115388.html

Dale City, Va. (AP) - An employee of a Prince William County car dealership was killed in a crash involving a customer's car.

The accident occurred just before 9 a.m. Monday when two employees of Lindsey Chevrolet drove north on U.S. One in a 1998 Corvette. Prince William County Police spokesman Dennis Mangan says that as the car crested a hill, the driver apparently lost control and spun sideways into a southbound mini van. The passenger in the Corvette died instantly. His name has not been released pending notification of relatives who live out of state. Mangan says there was "nothing left of the car."

The driver, 24-year-old Anthony Croom of Dale City, was ejected out the back of the car. The driver of the mini van, 49-year-old Michael Morris, of Woodbridge, was also injured. Both drivers were flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment. Mangan says that the owner of the car had given permission for the two employees to drive it. The accident remains under investigation.

Potomac News
Tuesday December 30, 2003

Dale City man dies test-driving car
Two Injured after mechanic loses control of Camaro
By Maria Hegstad
megstad@potomacnews.com

A two-car collision on U.S. I south of Dale Boulevard left a passenger dead and sent the drivers of both vehicles to Fairfax Inova Hospital on Monday morning.

Michael Joseph Crane, 18, of Dale City, died when a 1995 Chevrolet Astro minivan collided with the passenger side of the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro he was riding in.

Crane and Michael Andrew Morris, 22, mechanics at Lindsey Chevrolet in Woodbridge, were test driving a customer's vehicle with permission.

"They are both good, hardworking young men," Lindsay Chevrolet General Manager Danny Neblitt said."There's a lot we have to find out about the situation. We're all devastated."

Morris and Crane were traveling northbound on U.S. 1 from the dealership and were approaching Dale Boulevard when Morris lost control of the car. Prince William County Police Detective Dennis Mangan said.

The Camaro slid sideways into the southbound lanes of U.S. 1, Mangan, said. The driver of the minivan, Anthony M. Croom, 49, of Woodbridge, hit the Camaro in the passenger side, Mangan said. Morris was ejected through the back window of the camaro. Neither he nor Crane were wearing seat belts.

Morris, of Dale City and Croom were reported in "good" condition Monday afternoon, Fairfax Inova Hospital spokeswoman Kathleen Thomas said.

Mangan said police are unsure what caused Morris to lose control of the Camaro. Police have yet to estimate the speed of the Camaro was traveling. Alcohol was not a factor, Mangan said.

Neblitt said grief counseling had been set up for the mechanics' co-workers, a "very, very tight group" that Neblitt described as a family.

"I hurt for the occupant of the other vehicle," Neblitt said.

Neblitt said the Camaro had been brought in for service, but was unsure if the work it had been brought in for contributed to the loss of control. He said Morris and Crane were traveling part of a loop, requiring only right turns that Lindsay mechanics use to test drive vehicles.

"It's all right turns ... makes it safer. So I'm sure they were going on that circuit," Neblitt said. "They can actually make a circle so they never have to make a left turn and cross traffic."

Police are asking witnesses to the accident to call (703) 792- 6500 and speak with the accident investigation unit.

Staff writer Maria Hegstad can be reached at (703) 369-6594

News Chopper 4 "Images of the crash"

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