Family, friends remember victims at auto crash site

Tuesday, May 14, 2002 | 11:01 a.m.

Candlelight reflected off the tears of more than 100 students, parents and teachers gathered Monday night at the scene of an auto crash that claimed the lives of two Las Vegas High School students.

The car wreck at lunchtime Thursday killed seniors Natasha Keeter, 17, and Ashley Troester, 16, and injured three others.

Charmaine Miano, 15, said her friend Ashley had all of life ahead of her. Troester planned to become a model, she said.

"I hung out with her at lunch, but mostly after school," Miano said. "She was so beautiful, not only on the outside, but inside, too.

"She always had a smile on her face," said Miano, who wrote a poem for her friend. "She'd walk into a room and brighten it."

The Rev. Debbie Prosser met Troester only two weeks ago, but said she was always smiling.

"She was on the brink of a modeling career, but she had concerns in her life, typical teenage concerns," Prosser said. "About two weeks ago she gave her life to the Lord."

Prosser said she was in Ashley's room when she died Sunday morning. "There was such peace there," the minister said.

Prosser said she will conduct a 7 p.m. memorial service on Wednesday at the Solid Rock church, 2929 Cedar Ave., near Bonanza Road and Eastern Avenue.

The accident occurred at Sahara Avenue and Sloan Lane as the students raced to return from lunch off campus Thursday. Troester's Thunderbird veered into a light pole and was sheared in half.

Martin Sanchez, one of 11 other brothers and sisters of Keeter, said the high school senior was happy because she had made straight A's for the first time in her life. He was the only member of the family to attend.

As a reward Keeter's father gave her a red Mazda but kept it locked in the garage. "She didn't have a license or a learner's permit," Sanchez said.

Metro Police Detective Doug Nutton said after a thorough search of state Department of Motor Vehicle records, he determined Troester did not have a driver's license or a learner's permit.

Troester's father, David, is the registered owner of the car, Nutton said. Police believe the father allowed the daughter to drive, he said.

Although it is a misdemeanor with a $95 penalty to allow a person without a license to drive, Nutton said, police are still investigating the accident before taking further action.

"We will probably meet with the district attorney's office and let them make a decision," Nutton said.