04/28/2006

Breaking News: 2:35 p.m.

Authorities identify victims of fatal crash

Authorities Friday afternoon identified five teen victims of a two-vehicle crash on South Airport Road in Traverse City, about 21 hours after the teens' 1995 Mazda veered across several lanes and into the path of a supply truck.

The dead included three Traverse City boys: Phougheune Siphengphet and Davy Koumliene, both 16, and both students at Central High School, and Dath Keovongkoth, 17, a student at Traverse City High School.

Siphengphet and Keovongkoth were not wearing seatbelts; Koumliene wore a seatbelt, authorities said.

Survivors included the driver, Justin Jason Nguyen, 17, of Traverse City, and the lone female occupant, Bao Hang Nguyen, also 17. They both attend Traverse City High School.

Justin Nguyen was wearing a seatbelt and remains hospitalized at Munson Medical Center, but is expected to recover. Bao Nguyen was treated and released Thursday. She did not wear a seatbelt.

Curtis Kramer, 30, of Interlochen, drove the truck owned by Ferguson Traverse Supply Company that the teens' vehicle struck. Kramer was not injured.

Authorities believe the teens' vehicle was traveling at an excess speed. A witness told the Record-Eagle the vehicle appeared to be chasing another and swerved out of control before striking the supply truck.

The investigation continues, officials with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department said.

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• 3 teens killed in accident - April 28, 2006