David Boyce Harris was the outgoing and happy son in a family of seven children.

But in an instant Saturday night, the 16-year-old's exuberance was forever silenced. The family car he was driving crashed into a utility pole, killing him and a friend, Joseph Ryan Weber, and critically injuring a third teen.

All three were students at Issaquah High School.

Weber, 17, died at the site, on the Pine Lake Plateau northeast of Issaquah. Harris died later at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Lucas Doherty, 16, was in critical condition last night at Harborview with severe head, chest and leg injuries. A fourth teen was treated for minor injuries and released.

The accident happened just before 10 p.m. near the intersection of Southeast 24th Street and 202nd Avenue Southeast. King County Police think the car was speeding and lost contact with the road when it crested a hill.

The car slipped sideways and rammed into the pole, wrapping completely around it, the front end touching the rear.

When police and firefighters arrived, sparks were shooting from overhead power lines. The boys were pulled from the car, but the two could not be saved.

Police were still investigating the crash and had not determined whether alcohol was a factor, but a neighbor who was at the scene said there were no signs of drinking.

Meanwhile, Issaquah High School students, returning from their holiday break today, tried to deal with the deaths of Harris and Weber.

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. Six counselors were brought from other schools to help the high school's five counselors talk with grieving students.

*******************************************************************************

Two Issaquah Teens Killed, A Third Badly Hurt In Crash
By Linda Keene
Seattle Times Staff Reporter
David Boyce Harris was the "bonus kid," the "kid we had after we quit having kids," the outgoing and happy son in a family of seven children.

But in an instant Saturday night, the 16-year-old's exuberance was forever silenced. The family car he was driving crashed into a utility pole, killing him and a friend, Joseph Ryan Weber, and critically injuring a third teen.

All three were students at Issaquah High School.

Weber, 17, died at the site, on the Pine Lake Plateau northeast of Issaquah. Harris died later at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Lucas Doherty, 16, was in critical condition last night at Harborview with severe head, chest and leg injuries. A fourth teen was treated for minor injuries and released.

The accident happened just before 10 p.m. near the intersection of Southeast 24th Street and 202nd Avenue Southeast. King County Police think the car was speeding and lost contact with the road when it crested a hill.

The car slipped sideways and rammed into the pole, wrapping completely around it, the front end touching the rear.

When police and firefighters arrived, sparks were shooting from overhead power lines. The boys were pulled from the car, but the two could not be saved.

The Weber family could not be reached last night.

"You're never ready for it," said David's father, Boyce Harris, who described his son as always happy.

He said David had been elected junior-class treasurer and was

involved in drama and music. "Everyone knew him," he added. "I don't think there is anybody in Issaquah High who doesn't know him."

Boyce Harris said that the four boys were going to a party that night and that none of them drank alcohol. Police were still investigating the crash and had not determined whether alcohol was a factor, but a neighbor who was at the scene said there were no signs of drinking.

Copyright (c) 1996 Seattle Times Company, All Rights Reserved.

Greenwood Memorial Park
350 Monroe Avenue NorthEast
Renton, WA 98056
(425) 255-1511