Springfield teen dies in crash in Curran

A 16-year-old Springfield girl was killed and the teenaged driver of the car she was in was ticketed for speeding after a one-vehicle crash in Curran Monday night.

The Sangamon County coroner's office identified the girl as Brittney R. Grider of Springfield. She died at St. John's Hospital at 11:57 p.m. She was a backseat passenger in the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Trevor L. Gandy, 17, of the 2400 block of South State Street.

Gandy told deputies that he was traveling about 65 mph northbound on Curran Road just after 11 p.m. The Pontiac went airborne as he went over the railroad tracks in Curran. Deputies said the car was airborne for 167 feet.

When the car landed, Gandy lost control and it rolled several times. It ended up in a field on the west side of the road.

Gandy was treated for minor injuries at St. John’s. A second passenger, a 14-year-old boy, was not taken to the hospital.

Deputies ticketed Gandy for speeding and disobeying a traffic control device.

Sangamon County Chief Deputy Jack Campbell said alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.

The State Journal Register

www.sj-r.com

Tuesday, June 7, 2011 11:48 a.m.