A mother and daughter were killed after a SUV -- traveling at a speed of 100 mph -- hit their minivan in Camden County, New Jersey, according to authorities.
The accident happened at Chapel and Russell Avenues around 3:40 p.m in Merchantville. Thursday. Police say Anada Medina, 36, and her 18-year-old daughter Stephanie Garcia, both of Cherry Hill, were killed when 31-year-old Keith Johnson, driving a Dodge Durango, collided head-on with their Honda Odyssey.
According to witnesses, Johnson was speeding in an area with a 25 mph posted speed limit. He allegedly drove over into the southbound lane and collided with their car at the traffic circle at that intersection. Johnson and Gervaise Pierre, a 26-year-old female passenger traveling in his car at the time of the accident, are in critical condition at Cooper Hospital in Camden.
Stephanie was a student at Cherry Hill High School West and served as a staff writer for The Lion's Roar student newspaper. In a November 7 article, she wrote about moving to the Cherry Hill from Elizabeth over the summer and how excited and overwhelmed she was about her new life.
The school's principal Dr. Joseph Meloche posted a message on their website expressing their grief over the tragic loss.
"Cherry Hill High School West and the entire Cherry Hill School District are mourning the
unexpected death of Stephanie Garcia, a senior at our school.
We have counselors at school to help our students and our staff through this very difficult time. As we move forward, please maintain open communication with your children regarding Stephanie’s death and the feelings they may be experiencing in the grieving process. Please contact the guidance office if you would like us to provide additional information for you about outside grief agencies.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our children and for keeping Stephanie’s family in your thoughts and prayers."
Police are trying to determine if drugs were a factor in the crash.
Investigators from the Pennsauken Police Department and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office are reviewing evidence to determine the appropriate charges.
