Four Herricks High School students were killed on a lunch break on Monday afternoon, Oct. 29, on Searingtown Road, while driving in a 2000 Acura. Two other students were injured traveling on the same route in a 2001 Toyota. Killed were Jeffery Kim, 17; his sister Trudy Kim, 16, both of Roslyn; John Tran 16, of Roslyn and Brian An 16, of Williston Park. All students were headed for Wendy's Restaurant on Hillside Avenue in Williston Park.

According to detectives, David Lee 16, of Roslyn Heights, while operating a 2001 Toyota and traveling southbound on Searingtown Road at a high rate of speed, apparently failed to make the curve in the road, crossed opposing lanes, mounted the curb and flipped twice, landing the car on its side near the Herricks Pond Park. The driver and his passenger, John Volino, 18, of Williston Park, exited the vehicle, sustaining only minor injuries, for which Lee alone was treated and released from North Shore University Hospital.

Minutes later, Jeffery Kim, of Roslyn, operating a 2000 Acura, at a high rate of speed, southbound on Searingtown Road, also failed to negotiate the curve, crossing into the oncoming traffic and was struck by a '93 Ford van traveling eastbound, operated by Joseph Pisciotta, of Franklin Square.

It is speculated that the teens were traveling at a speed well above the speed limit of 35 mph on that road. In that area on Searingtown Road there are two sharp precarious curves which, if traveling fast, are extremely dangerous to negotiate.

Superintendent Dr. John Bierwirth, who rushed to the scene, could say nothing more than he was very sad. He added that he immediately mobilized the Crisis Team, already in place at the high school, and met with the counselors early Tuesday morning. He reported that the counselors will be available to the students for as long as needed.