2 Grayson teens killed, 3 people hurt in Gwinnett crash

By Fran Jeffries and Mike Morris

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Kroger store in Grayson will hold a balloon release at 4 p.m. today to honor two teenage cashiers who died in a car crash that also injured three other people Saturday night in Gwinnett County.

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John Spink, jspink@ajc.com A roadside memorial was placed Webb Gin House Road near Arbor Hill Court where a student died in a crash that also killed another Grayson teen and injured three other people Saturday night .

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John Spink, jspink@ajc.com A roadside memorial marks where the fatal crash happened.

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Police are investigating the three-car head-on collision that killed Hope M. McKenzie, 17, a Grayson High senior, and her friend Austin Rogers, 19, a front-seat passenger in her car. The accident happened at the intersection of Webb Gin House Road and Grayson Highway. A back-seat passenger, McKennan Lockridge, 17,  also of Grayson, was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center in critical condition. Also injured was Jeffery M. Watson, 51, of Loganville. He was later charged with DUI. His passenger, Kathleen Watson, 49, of Loganville, was taken to  Gwinnett Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Sharianne Smith, 22, also of Grayson, was treated at the scene for minor injuries. She was then arrested on an outstanding warrant. Her passenger, Kanisha Finlay, 21, of Lawrenceville, also was treated for minor injuries.

Police said McKenzie was driving her Toyota Tercel west on Webb Gin House Road when it crossed the center lane just west of Chadwick Park Drive and sideswiped a Toyota Scion being driven by Smith. McKenzie then spun out of control and struck a Toyota Tundra pickup being driven by Jeffery M. Watson, 51, of Loganville, in the eastbound lane on Webb Gin House Road.

Investigators are still trying to figure out what caused the accident, according to Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl. Edwin Ritter. McKenzie and Rogers were coworkers at the Kroger store on Grayson Highway.

A candle lighting will be held at Grayson High School Tuesday to honor Hope McKenzie, according to a Facebook page set up in her honor.