Teenage girls make court appearance after street racing death of Alyssa Davis
Two 17-year old females appeared in provincial court in St. John's Wednesday to be charged in connection with the street racing death of Alyssa Davis
Davis was also 17 when she was killed in a car crash on the Conception Bay South bypass just before Christmas.
The accident happened on the night of Dec. 23, 2015 and was initially reported as a single-vehicle crash.
Davis was killed, while two passengers in the back seat sustained minor injuries.
The driver, another 17-year-old girl, was taken to hospital with critical injuries and on Wednesday was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death as well as dangerous operation of a motor vehicle while street racing causing death.
"It's a sad circumstance, right. Heartbreaking, tough on everybody," said John McGrath, the lawyer for the young woman.
"I put myself in the position, if I was the father of that young lady, I'd be devastated."
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary investigation revealed that two vehicles were racing on Peacekeepers Way, when one of the drivers lost control just east of the Legion Road ramp.
Another 17-year old female, the driver of the second vehicle, has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and street racing.
"We believe that there was some very poor decisions that happened on the night that this occurrence happened and that led to some devastating consequences. It's unfortunate that someone had died," said Sgt. Paul Didham, supervisor of the RNC Traffic Division.
"We have to bear in mind that there are three families and other individuals that have been devastated by the effects of everything that's occurred in relation to this matter."
Didham said to his knowledge it's the first charge of street racing causing death to be laid in this province.
Both teens listened quietly as the charges against them were read into court. The courtroom was filled with about a dozen people who appeared to be with the girls.
Both have been released into the custody of their parents, so they can continue in school.
However, they are prohibited from any contact with the Davis family and a large circle of other individuals, and cannot discuss Alyssa Davis on social media.