OCALA, Fla., Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Five young friends died Saturday when their luxury car sailed off a private runway in Florida and smashed into a tree, authorities said.
The 2008 BMW crashed at the Greystone airstrip adjacent to Jumbolair Aviation Estates near Ocala, the Ocala Star-Banner reported. Dead at the scene were Jacob James Casey, 19, Ocala; James Devon Hime, 19, Ocala; Joshua D. Ammirato, 18, Fairfield; Dustin J. Dawe, 19, Fairfield; and Isaac Rubin, 20, Ocala, the newspaper said.
Florida Highway Patrol Capt. Jeffrey Succi said it appeared alcohol was involved but couldn't be certain until toxicology tests were completed, the Star-Banner reported on its Web site. The five victims apparently had been at a party prior to the crash, Succi said.
Authorities said the $80,000 car was traveling on a 1.5-mile-long runway that actor John Travolta and others use on a regular basis, the newspaper said. There were signs the car turned sideways, careened over an embankment and soared about 200 feet in the air before striking a tree about 15 feet above the ground and breaking into two chunks.
