Alcohol, Speed Not Factors in Deadly UGA Crash: Troopers

By Doug Gross

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ATHENS, GA -- Alcohol, drugs and speeding have been ruled out as factors in the Oconee County crash that left four University of Georgia students dead and a fifth in critical condition.

The Georgia State Patrol continues to conduct what it calls a "very complex" investigation into the wreck, which happened April 27.

"Since the investigation began, the SCRT (Specialized Collisions Reconstruction Team) Team has eliminated the presence of alcohol or drugs from either vehicle," the Georgia Department of Public safety said in a news release Monday. "There is no indication of any substance and no person involved had any signs of impairment, nor were there any signs of any impairing substances located at the scene or in any of the vehicles involved."

An analysis of the scene and of both vehicles also provided no indication that anyone was speeding at the time of the wreck, the news release said.

• RELATED: Funerals For UGA Students Killed In Crash Set For Monday, Tuesday

Kayla Canedo, 19, of Alpharetta, Brittany Feldman, 20, of Alpharetta, Christina Semeria, 19, of Milton and Halle Scott, 19, of Dunwoody, all died in the crash. Agnes Kim, 21, of Snellville, was the driver of the car in which they were passengers. She was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the other vehicle, Abby Short, 27, of Demorest, also was hospitalized.

The crash happened around 8:55 p.m. April 27 on S.R.15 just outside of Watkinsville, according to the state patrol.

The patrol said Kim's Camry traveled into the oncoming lane and was hit in the side by Short's Chevrolet Cobalt.

A statewide wave of grief and sympathy has followed the wreck, with Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal ordering flags flown at half-staff Friday in honor of the victims and their friends and family.

The state patrol said Monday there will be no more updates into its investigation until it is complete.

"This type of investigation is very complex in nature and must be guarded to protect the integrity of the case," the news release said.

Locally, the city of Milton flags will be lowered for the next two days to "show our sympathy and grief as four local University of Georgia students are laid to rest," the city said. The flags are at half-staff as Mayor Joe Lockwood and City Council honor Christina Devon Semeria with her family and friends in celebration of her life.

On Tuesday, May 3, flags will remain lowered to honor Kayla Leigh Canedo and Brittany Katherine Feldman in celebration of their lives.

"Our community mourns this tragic loss and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were involved," Lockwood said. "Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers."

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