2 killed in crash in St. Augustine

3 others hurt, transported to hospitals

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Two people were killed in a crash in St. Augustine early Thursday morning.

It happened around 1:30 a.m. on the corner of County Road 208 and County Road 13A South.

Five people were in a red SUV that ran off the road and hit some trees. State troopers said the driver failed to negotiate a curve.

Joey Stevens, 24, and Alyssa Nearbin, 20, died at the scene.

Dylan Charles, 21, and Erin Aderhold, 18, were flown to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center in critical condition, and Hosston Bishop, 21, was taken to Flagler Hospital with minor injuries.

C.R. 208 was closed while the Florida Highway Patrol investigated. It later reopened.

Troopers did not identify the driver but said possible charges are pending. They said alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Wednesday was Nearbin's 20th birthday.

Her cousin was Ryan Ford, who was beaten to death at a bonfire party in southern Duval County in January.

"My heart's going out to the family," said Kyle Ruff, a friend of Nearbin and Stevens. "I pray that it never happens again. It's just heartbreaking. Just to know she's up there with her cousin living it up, makes me feel better. That's all she ever talked about. She just wants to see her cousin again."

Mourners left flowers in their memory Thursday at the site of the crash.

"I would never believe it would happen to them," Ruff said. "In a million years would I have guessed they would go this way. Never guessed I would count on this early of an age."

Friends describe the two as outgoing and fun, especially Nearbin, who they said had a way of looking out for people.

"If she was around, you knew nothing bad was going to happen to you," Ruff said. "She was going to keep you safe. You knew you were going to have fun when Alyssa was there."

Another deadly crash occurred near the same intersection just last week when a 23-year-old man's pickup truck went off the road and overturned. He died at the scene.

"Two wrecks like this within less than a week is a sad thing," resident Brandon Williams said.

Kathryn Cope, who owns a produce store across from the intersection, said it's a dangerous road and more could be done to keep drivers safe.

"I think if perhaps people slowed down, it will warn them," she said. "And also maybe putting the reflective arrows up around the curve. I think they take the curves too quickly and that's where they're losing control."

Flowers are starting to be placed around the gruesome crash site on County Road 208 in St. Johns County. Elizabeth Usher still cannot believe the loss of her friend, Alyssa Nearbin.

"Not good at all. I've been friends with the girl who passed away, Alyssa, since Kindergarten and they're not taking it well," said Usher.

Usher said she knew Nearbin and Stevens, who also died. Usher said that she'd been to the hospital to visit the three other passengers in the vehicle.

"Bob Dylan, who got slung out of the car, we just went up and seen him at the hospital," said Usher. "Not in good condition at all. The one girl just got reconstruction jaw on the side of her face, and the boy is gonna have a halo on his neck."

Charles Liner told Channel 4 he knows Nearbin from his church's youth group.

"Tragic, very tragic. Like I said, got their whole lives ahead of them," said Liner. "Very tragic."

The Florida Highway Patrol report does not detail who the driver of the vehicle was early Thursday morning. The crash is still being investigated.