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Teen Recounts Driving Drunken Girl To ER

14-Year-Old Girl Taken From Party To Hospital

POSTED: Monday, July 14, 2008

A 14-year-old girl continued to recover on Monday after, according to deputies, she drank so much alcohol at a house party that she lost consciousness and could not be awakened.

Deputies said that up to 60 people -- most of them under 21 -- gathered Friday night at a house on Cornel Road to celebrate a birthday.

Most of the attendees were underage, but investigators said a large amount of alcohol was consumed at the party.

Kevin Lovelace, 18, said he knew something was wrong when he saw the 14-year-old girl and said he had to do the right thing.

"She completely looked lifeless," said Lovelace. "My friend -- a really good friend -- just passed away from (an overdose). I didn't want that to happen again, so I figured somebody had to make the right decision."

That decision was to rush the unconscious girl to the emergency room at Flagler Hospital.

The girl was in critical condition and had to be transferred from Flagler Hospital to Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center.

Police said the teen had gone to the party last Friday night and drank enough alcohol to kill her.
Gagnon, Burt and Bryant

Lovelace and his friend, Matt Kent, took action when they saw the drunken girl.

"He drove and I held her head. She was just completely lifeless," Lovelace said. "It was probably the worst I've ever seen anyone drunk, because that was bad. I knew she was young, but I didn't know she was 14."

However, police said Gagnon and Burt did know the girl. Investigators said they threw the party and knew the underage girl was drinking.

Gagnon and Burt were arrested on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, as was 18-year-old Noah Bryant, who police said brought the girl to the house party.

"It's these issues where an individual consumes such a large volume that they're unconscious and taken to a hospital in critical condition. It's absolutely alarming," said St. Johns County Sheriff's Office spokesman Chuck Mulligan.

"I feel good about myself and helping the little girl and helping a family out because I can't imagine what would have happened if that girl would have died in that house," Lovelace said.

The 14-year-old girl was released from the hospital during the day on Monday.

Gagnon, Burt and Bryant have all bonded out of the St. Johns County Jail. All three men are facing second-degree misdemeanor charges.

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