Report: Airstrip Driver Sought Speed Advice From Bloggers Before Crash
5 Killed When BMW Flies Off Elevated Airstrip, Hits Top Of Tree
POSTED: Sunday, January 27, 2008
UPDATED: 9:22 am EST January 28,
2008
ANTHONY, Fla. -- An 18-year-old driver who lost control during an apparent high-speed joy ride, killing himself and four others at an airstrip runway, sought advice online how to make his high performance vehicle go even faster, Local 6 reported Sunday.
Images: Crash Scene
Images: Victims
Joshua Ammirrato wrote bloggers about problems he had when he was driving his new $82,000 BMW M-5 at speeds above 140 mph, The Ocala Star-Banner reported.Florida Highway Patrol officers said Ammiratto's gray 2008 BMW was traveling on an airstrip after 3:30 a.m. Saturday near Jumbolair Aviation Estates when it sailed off an 80- to 85-foot elevated embankment at the runway.The vehicle was likely speeding in excess of 100 mph when it left the ground and traveled 200 feet into a large tree, Local 6 has learned. The vehicle hit the tree about 15 feet above the ground and split into several pieces.Troopers identified the other victims as James Hime, 19, Jacob Casey, 19, Isaac Rubin, 20 and Dustin Dawe, 19.Police said the victims were friends and had just left a party before the crash.Neighbors in the 1400 block of Northeast 95th Street said that they were awakened by a bang that shook their house.FHP officials investigating the crash said there were skid marks at the end of the runway.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
Images: Crash Scene Images: Victims Joshua Ammirrato wrote bloggers about problems he had when he was driving his new $82,000 BMW M-5 at speeds above 140 mph, The Ocala Star-Banner reported.Florida Highway Patrol officers said Ammiratto's gray 2008 BMW was traveling on an airstrip after 3:30 a.m. Saturday near Jumbolair Aviation Estates when it sailed off an 80- to 85-foot elevated embankment at the runway.The vehicle was likely speeding in excess of 100 mph when it left the ground and traveled 200 feet into a large tree, Local 6 has learned. The vehicle hit the tree about 15 feet above the ground and split into several pieces.Troopers identified the other victims as James Hime, 19, Jacob Casey, 19, Isaac Rubin, 20 and Dustin Dawe, 19.Police said the victims were friends and had just left a party before the crash.Neighbors in the 1400 block of Northeast 95th Street said that they were awakened by a bang that shook their house.FHP officials investigating the crash said there were skid marks at the end of the runway.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
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- January 27, 2008: 5 Killed When BMW Flies Off Elevated Airstrip, Hits Top Of Tree
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