Car-Crash Deaths Stun Classmates -- Federal Way Seniors Were Honor Students And Close Friends

Two Federal Way High School students killed in a car accident Tuesday were close friends and honor students with a bright future, according to school officials.

Joel Carmel, 17, and Pierre Leroueil, 18, both seniors, died after the car Carmel was driving down a hill veered into a tree. The accident occurred on Redondo Beach Drive near South 282nd Street.

"They were excellent students and well-liked by everyone," said Assistant Principal Christine Katayama.

She said both students took honors courses and had planned to attend the University of Washington next fall.

The two students left the high school in Carmel's small sedan and were driving downhill on South 282nd Street at a speed King County Police said was well above the posted 25-mph limit.

Carmel lost control of the car on a curve, and it crossed the center line and left the road before crashing into a large maple tree, said police spokesman Dave Robinson. Investigators found no skid marks or evidence the car's brakes had been applied.

Both teens died at the scene.

Yesterday, a chaplain and several students visited the site of the accident to remember the two students.

Carmel was lead tenor in the school's concert choir. Last year, fellow classmates voted him Most Outstanding Junior in the choir. Aside from taking honors classes in biology, social studies and English, Carmel studied Japanese and excelled in photography, Katayama said.

Leroueil, who was half French, loved visiting his family in Europe during vacations.

He took honors courses in English and social studies, and was an aspiring music student who played the guitar.

"A blanket of silence" fell on Federal Way High School yesterday as students struggled to cope with their classmates' deaths, Katayama said.

It's the second tragedy to strike the school this year. Another student, Nicole Michelle Bianco, 16, died in a car accident Jan. 26.

A crisis team, as well as parent volunteers, came to the school yesterday and will be available to meet with students for the next few days.

A memorial for Carmel and Leroueil will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Northwest Church, 34800 21st Ave. S.W. Information from Seattle Times staff reporter Dee Norton is included in this report.