Issaquah High Students Try To Deal With Deaths Of 2 Colleagues

ISSAQUAH - Sorrowful Issaquah High School students returned from their holiday break today and tried to deal with the deaths of classmates David Harris and Joseph Weber.

The two teenagers were killed Saturday night when their speeding car left the road and crashed into a utility pole about 10 p.m. on the Pine Lake Plateau northeast of Issaquah. Both died at the scene.

At school this morning, the flag was at half staff. Administrators asked students to write memories of Harris and Weber to send to the boys' families. Students wore pale-blue and navy-blue ribbons pinned together to symbolize their lost classmates.

Along with the high school's five counselors, six others were brought in from other schools to talk with grieving students.

Adam Gunn, a senior, said, "Reality sets in. It was always somebody on TV and never your friend. You thought you were invincible. Joe and Dave were both the funniest guys I know. They could bring humor to the tensest situation."

Brian Parnell, a junior, described the pair, said to be "best buddies," as real role models.

Harris, 16, was involved in church, scouting, drama and music. He was treasurer of the student government. Weber, 17, was active in church and drama, was a member of Issaquah High's "In Harmony" men's singing group and worked as a ski instructor.

Two other Issaquah High students were injured in the accident: Lucas Doherty, 16, was in serious condition today at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, and 16-year-old Sean Flynn was treated for a broken arm and cuts, and released from Group Health Eastside Hospital.

Friends have kept vigil at the accident scene, placing photos, flowers and mementos near the intersection of Southeast 24th Street and 202nd Avenue Southeast

The crash occurred as the four teens were on their way to a party. Some youths have said Southeast 24th Street is often used for "roller-coasting" over hills; friends at school today downplayed those reports and said they felt the accident was simply "a freak thing." Said one, "Everybody drives fast."

The car, which became airborne, turned sideways and slammed into the pole. King County Police investigators said alcohol was not involved in the accident.

Joint services for Harris and Weber will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Renton North Stake Center, 15205 S.E. 28th St. in Bellevue.

Both families request donations be made through Seafirst Bank Memorial Fund.

Reporters Katherine Long and Thomas W. Haines contributed to this report.