The police are now focused on the young ladies' whereabouts prior to the crash and on who provided Ms. McCarron with alcohol. Chief Toomey said she began her investigation the morning after the crash, following up on rumors and piecing together bits and pieces of information. "I have been out straight," she said. "That is what I am continuing to work on."
Kelly McCarron in her senior photo.
Chief Toomey said depending on where the investigation leads, more charges could be filed. She said there has been much hearsay surrounding the accident and the movements of Ms. McCarron and Ms. Pothier. "I've pieced together some activities based on interviews," Chief Toomey said. "I need to fill in the gaps." She asked anyone with information to contact her at the West Tisbury Police.
School shock
James Weiss, superintendent of Vineyard schools, said he learned of the accident at midnight in telephone calls from parents and called the Dukes County communications center. He said Martha's Vineyard Regional High School staff and guidance counselors were prepared at the start of school Friday morning, June 12, to talk to students and assist them in dealing with the news of the accident.
Mr. Weiss said Steve Nixon, MVRHS principal, asked classroom teachers to read the following statement Friday morning: "Last evening there was a car accident in West Tisbury that involved two young ladies. We have reason to believe that one of the young ladies, a past graduate of Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, passed away last night. The other young lady is a current senior at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School and is presently hospitalized in Boston. If due to this incident you feel the need to speak to anyone, please feel free to contact the guidance office, where counselors will be ready to meet with you, or find another adult in the building with whom you have a relationship."
The school encouraged seniors, most of whom had finished classroom activities and were busy preparing for graduation and not expected in school that day, to come to the school where counseling staff was ready to assist them. "It's a tough day," Mr. Weiss said in a telephone conversation with The Times early Friday.
That afternoon the office of the superintendent issued the following press statement: "The Martha's Vineyard Regional High School community was saddened to learn of a serious automobile accident overnight involving members of its student body. This morning the school was informed that former student and 2008 graduate, Jena Pothier, was killed in the accident. The driver, senior Kelly McCarron was seriously injured and taken off-island by the US Coast Guard for treatment in Boston.
"A brief statement was read in all homerooms this morning, and the school's guidance staff is available to counsel any students who might need assistance. Since seniors are not in school today, we would urge members of the Class of 2009 who have concerns to come to the school where counselors will be available. Class Night, scheduled for this evening Friday, June 12th at 7 pm, and graduation scheduled for Sunday, June 14th at 1:30 pm will go on as scheduled, unless further developments would require some change.
"The entire school community - school committee, administration, staff, and student body - offers its deepest condolences to the family of Jena Pothier and its prayers for a complete recovery to senior Kelly McCarron."
On Friday, as seniors and family members gathered at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs for Class Night, the events of the previous evening lay just below the surface, as participants applauded the presentation of awards and scholarships.
The most emotional moments accompanied presentations by parents and family members in memory of former high school students killed in automobile accidents. Sunday the mood was more festive as the graduating class of 2009 gathered in the Tabernacle in caps and gowns.
Susan Habekost, mother of Kelly McCarron, accompanied by Erica Habekost, 22, who held a photograph of her sister, walked on stage and accepted the injured girl's diploma to a standing ovation from the students.
A tragedy shared
Dave and Terri Pothier are close friends of Tom and Barbara Furino of Edgartown. In May 2004, the Furinos' 17-year-old son David and his best friend, Kevin H. Johnson 2nd, 16, of Oak Bluffs, both popular regional high school juniors, died in a car crash.
In a telephone call, Mr. Furino told The Times that he received a call from Mr. Pothier at 2:30 am Friday morning with the sad news about Jena. The Furinos went over to the Pothiers' house immediately.
"We know the pain they're going to go through," Mr. Furino said.
On Wednesday the Island community gathered to share that pain with David and Terri Pothier. As the 11 am start of burial services approached, a steady stream of mourners filled the intimate confines of the Our Lady Star of the Sea Church.
As graduates from the high school class of 2008 and students from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, where Ms. Pothier had just completed her freshman year, gathered in front of the church; recognition brought comforting hugs and tears.
At the conclusion of the service, friends and family members described a lovely, vibrant, friendly girl with a recognizable laugh and irrepressible spirit. A family member said that she was born prematurely and left prematurely.
At Sacred Heart Cemetery on Vineyard Avenue in Oak Bluffs, Father Michael Nagle had just finished the prayer service when on an otherwise clear day a rainbow halo appeared around the sun and lingered for several minutes. The mourners broke into applause. Several said, "Thank you, Jena."
Janet Hefler contributed reporting to this story.
