Thursday, June 5, 2003 marked a tragic day for two young men in Albemarle County. At approximately 2:40am Albemarle Police and Albemarle Fire & Rescue responded to a crash scene near the intersection of Huntington and Wakefield Roads. Ross Pickering, 19 and Aaron Zentgraf, 20 who both resided in Charlottesville, did not survive the crash.
The young men had shortly before left a party. One of the youthes just lived a couple of miles from the accident site. As they headed home,they approached the intersection of Huntington and Wakefield. "There is a curve to the left,"Lt.Earl Newton of the Albemarle Police Department said, "The Mercedes sports car went off the right shoulder, struck a tree, at some point flipped and rolled with the convertable hard top coming off. The car skidded about 60 feet before coming to a stop. The young men were wearing seat belts."
Responding to the scene was Engine 85-Seminole Trail, CARRS Heavy Rescue, and Albemarle Police Department. They discovered the Mercedes upside down.The victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
"Wet roads and speed may have been a factor," Lt. Newton said of the crash. "We are investigating if alcohol may have been a factor. Both young men were under age. If drinking was a factor, charges will be filed against the provider."
