Watch CBS News

Friends & Family Mourn Loss Of Pasadena Teen In Mountain Road Accident

PASADENA, Md. (WJZ)—Students at one Anne Arundel high school are coping with the loss of a teen killed on a dangerous stretch of road.

Gigi Barnett explains how it happened and the next step for students.

Drivers on the busy stretch of Mountain Road call a certain section treacherous. Police say it's where Kala Marie Austin, 17, died Wednesday morning.

She was driving eastbound on Mountain Road, lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a vacant house.

Nearby surveillance cameras caught it all.

Her family is grieving, so are students at Austin's school, Chesapeake High in Pasadena.

"I haven't started driving yet. My mom doesn't want me to cause stuff like this happens," said Mark Pemberton, student.

Grief counselors roamed the halls Thursday, helping students deal with the loss.

"You'll randomly see people crying," said Devon DiMarco, student. "I didn't really know her, but it's still really, really sad."

Austin's memorial is just one of several that line Mountain Road.

School leaders sent home letters asking parents to talk about the accident.

"Parents need to sit down with their children and talk to them, help them to cope with this and not be afraid to show emotion," said Bob Mosier, Anne Arundel County school spokesman.

While investigators are still looking into the cause of the crash, early reports show that speed may have been a factor.

Investigators say the slick road conditions may have also played a part in the accident.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.