Family confronts 2 men charged with street racing causing death

Family and friends of 18-year old Hannah Thorne were at the courthouse in Harbour Grace on Monday, carrying photographs of the deceased teen, as two men were formally charged with street racing causing death.

• Street racing charges laid in July's fatal two-vehicle crash near the New Harbour Barrens

Gail Thorne, Hannah's mother, told CBC News that she wanted to see the men charged with the accident that killed her daughter.

"All I want to see is who gets out. I can finally put a face [to it]," she said as she waited for police vehicles to arrive.

"Right here, I am. Look at me," she said as the first of the accused was led into court by the RCMP. 

Brian Robert King, 30, from Bay Roberts, and Steven Ryan Mercer, 29, from Upper Island Cove, each face a slew of charges stemming from the fatal crash on July 7.  

CBC News has learned that King is alleged to have been driving a Ford F-150 when it slammed into a Hyundai Accent being driven by Hannah Thorne's 81-year old grandmother. 

The RCMP claim King and Mercer were racing on a section of highway known as the New Harbour Barrens during the incident.

Thorne, a resident of New Harbour, was killed in the crash. Her grandmother sustained serious injuries and is still being treated in hospital.

The RCMP arrested King and Mercer after a lengthy investigation.

Each is charged with street racing causing death and street racing causing bodily harm, criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle causing death and bodily harm and separate breaches of probation.

They are being held overnight for a bail hearing Tuesday.

Police are still appealing to the public for information about the crash.