Two dead in Hernando Beach crash

[Photo by Bryan Farrow | Special to the Times]
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HERNANDO BEACH -- Two Spring Hill residents were killed early Saturday morning in a three-vehicle crash on Shoal Line Boulevard, about a mile north of Osowaw Boulevard.

The Ford van they were riding in was struck head-on when a Chevrolet SUV drifted across the center line, then was hit again by a van that had been following their vehicle.

Bryan Riggs, 23, of Weeki Wachee and Ashley Barnett, 20, of Spring Hill both died at the scene of the accident, which took place at about 2:30 a.m. Neither was wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the vehicle, Mackenzie Shipe, 19, of Weeki Wachee, was seriously injured and taken to Oak Hill Hospital in Spring Hill. Lorrey A. Richard, 21, of Spring Hill, the driver of the SUV, was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in critical condition. The driver of the van that hit Shipe’s vehicle, Carrie A. Goldstein, 30, of Spring Hill, was taken to Spring Hill Regional Hospital in serious condition. Her passenger, 34-year-old Jason C. Goldstein of Spring Hill, was not injured.

Charges are pending, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

-- Barbara Behrendt, Times staff writer

Comments

[Deb]

Horrible,just horrible. I live in Hernando county,not far from Spring Hill,and weeki watchee. Was tailgating,the main cause?

[Layla]

How many people need to die on that road before something is done?

[Roger]

what a horrible crash..2'30 am is a deadly time..

[Cyndy & Bill]

What a horrible loss. We are saddened by the loss of these young adults. Our prayers are with their families.

[Edward]

The road is not at fault !
Slow Down , look at the damage .someone was doing 70 +

[Wade Williams]

Forever a family friend, I've known him since I was no older than 6. Considered to be a member of the family, this is a tragic loss. Riggs, forever loved and remembered bro.

[anonymous]

a horrible crash that claimed the lives of two wonderful people better friends a person could not ask for better friends this is just horrible our prayers go out to the loved ones of the two beautiful people they will be forever missed

[Melanie Shillibeer]

I don't even know what to say. Riggs was a great friend with a heart of gold. Breaks my heart to think I'll never see him again. My mother loved him and so did I; I've known him for 6 short years. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones, as well as to the friends and family of the others who were injured and to the very young lady who lost her life as well.

[Dalton Carter]

I'll remember you Riggs... I have known him since I was born. See you around Riggs. Sorry to see you go.

[alex]

to fast too late and was alchol involved sorrow overcomes me that we had to lose these young people but speed had to have played a huge part and any one who has driven this road at night , knows u cant c very far in front of u as it is extremly dark in that area

[cordell]

Damn ash i cant believe your gone.. man we was just chillin not too long ago... ima miss you.. remember when i did that song for cody when he died? and u told me in the back of jr's car that if u die u want me to do a song for you??? well i will do my best to grant ya wish.. ima miss you...
always...
cordell cross
a.k.a
taliban
p.si f ne one wouldlike to submit anythang for the song.. please send it to my myspace....
www.myspace.com/yaboitaliban

[Pearl]

I am in awe for Ashley aka Smash was a great friend. For she was only trying to get home from leaving work. She was the life of the party and could always make you laugh & smile. My prayers go to her family and for all that knew her. As long as I've known there has been many tragic accidents with a lot of innocent people involve. There needs to be street lights posted for that the darkness has always been a issue as well as drinking and driving. I hope that this will be a end of strings of misfortune.

[Russ]

Tragic as it is, why were they not wearing their seatbelts???

[Lindsey Skibb]

These people were great friends of mine!!!! They will be forever loved and missed by many. I love you Asley and Brian. You will always be in my heart!

[nicole]

rip smash you will be forever missed. =;( FOREVER

[leslie]

Such a senseless tragedy. But, once again, when are people going to learn to wear seatbelts? As far as being in 'critical condition' goes, the girl that went to St. Joe's is probably the worst, as Spring Hill and Oak Hill do not have the same capabilities for treatment.
As a nurse, I implore all people to PLEASE wear your seatbelt and STAY OFF YOUR CELL PHONE!!!!!!!!!!

[Ron]

For those that say speeding was involved two cars traveling at 50 mph that hit head on is the same as one car hitting a brick wall at 100 mph. A tragic loss of such young people. Please wear seat belts. One hopes alcohol didn't play a part as it is just as easy to fall asleep at that time of night. My prayers go out to all the families.

[nathan sedgwick]

this sucks...i played baseball with bryan all during growing up and now for someone to swerve across a lane... he was a good guy and will be missed. RIP Riggs.

[Drew Evans]

Why life is so valuable. Riggs was a lifetime friend. We grew up together since we were in diapers. He will always hold a special place in my heart. We will again reunite.

P.S.- Riggs....Take care of your dad while your in heaven.

[Joe]

Two more lives cut short because they weren't wearing seatbelts in an otherwise survivable crash! Last night, another young woman died in a one-vehicle crash on 275. It's too late for them, but other young people should learn from their tragedies and USE YOUR SEATBELTS ALL THE TIME whether traveling at high speed or low.

R.I.P. Smash I will always remember you... Just so you guy know here is the story said from someone in the accident. As the car with Ashley and Brian in it were traveling down the road (after they got off of work) A car swerved down the road and crossed into there lane. Now if anyone knows the speed limit is 50 and if the two cars are going 50 (the head on collision) the speed was actually about 100 when they collided. Then the car behind ended up sandwiching the car with Ashley and Brian. Now they should have been wearing their seat belts but if the car was in their own lane the would still be alive. So you will always be remembered Ashley

[Nancy Allison]

I did not know the girls, but feel that Bryan was my "adopted" son. He grew up with my sons, and I love his family. My heart has a huge hole, thank you Bryan for the humor you added to our family's life!!! Love always!!! (I am praying for all of the families involved.)

[Michelle]

Ashley, I can't believe you're gone. I will always think of you and remember the last time I saw you...so smart, independent and capable. We sat at grandma and grandpa's table and I watched your eyes light up in response to every challenge. So full of fire and energy. You had your whole life ahead of you and now in an instant it's gone. The worst part is that you were just beginning to figure out who you were and deciding where to go from there. I love you and will miss you every day.

[Kris]

Bryan you were a gorgous and charming young man that I hoped so badly would find happiness and have a great future. My heart breaks to know I will never see you or that mischievious smile of yours again. I new you for such a short time but forever you will have a special place in my heart. The only peice I find in this is that you are with your dad again and I know you missed him.LOL

[Wade Williams]

It's amazing how overused the terms "nice guy," and "good person," are these days. They've almost become cliches, the way that they are tossed around, almost losing any value they once held. You were the epitome of a nice guy, and the epitome of a great person. I never saw you without your smile on, and it was infectious. Riggs, you'll be sorely, sorely missed, and tell your dad that we miss him, too.

[anonymous]

Does anyone know anything about the Memorial Service for either of them?

[Pattie Hummel]

Thank you all. There will be services Thursday, 1:00 at Lake Louisa state Park in Clermont. Please keep Bryan close to your hearts.

mom

[Pattie Hummel]

Thank you all. There will be services Thursday, 1:00 at Lake Louisa state Park in Clermont. Please keep Bryan close to your hearts.

mom

[Linda]

A friend sent me this quote which describes Bryan's place in my life and heart. A free spirit, patient soul who is deeply missed.

Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the
people who treat you right and believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your life as Bryan did.

[Breanne]

I worked with Ashley, Carrie and Jason at RBeach, God Bless them all. Ashley was an amazing young girl who will be sadly missed. I hope Carrie does well in the hospital and comes home soon. Thank God Jason got out okay. Carrie and Jason have two little ones at home, special prayers to everyone in this horrible accident.

[Danielle Contarino]

Wow, I can't believe this is really happening. Riggs, you're the type of person that's unforgettable. You were there growing up, and you'll continue to be there in our thoughts and prayers for years and years to come.

[Rick Shouse]

Bryan... I know we havn't kept in the best contact for the last bit of time... but knowing you through elementry school and middle school was a blessing, i hope that you are now happy with God in heaven... you will be greatly missed as you are still and always will be loved.... God bless you!

[Debra]

Dear Bryan, you will be forever missed by those of us who were blessed to have you in our lives. Know that you made such a difference. You’re charismatic spirit and generous heart will live forever in all that were touched by you.

[Tom]

I didn't know Ashley, but Bryan was like a 2nd son to me. To know him was to love him. And that he's gone seems surreal. No one that young and full of life should be gone this soon. To Erica and Pattie, if you ever need anything, please just ask. And to Bryan, keep smiling that bright smile in heaven, and tell your dad I said hi. I miss you both.

[Scotty Schultz]

I've known Bryon most of his very short life. He was a great son, and brother to his Mom & Sister. His Dad,rest his soul, cherished every moment of Bryon's life. He's in heaven waiting for you to join the team. Your going to a place where you will never be called "out" and you will always be "safe" at home.

[Kari]

Bryan, I found out about your death two weeks after, and it breaks my heart that i never got a chance to say goodbye.. You and that smile will forever and always be in my heart i guess i should have taken you up on that offer when i had the chance huh? I never imagined I would never get the chance again..I guess every song has to end but I will always miss the music.

Does anyone know if theres a site or memorial somewhere? I called the funeral home but they said they werent sure..I would really like to pay my respects.

[Rob Yankee]

What a tragic loss for everyone involved. Me, my best friend, and two drunk girls who we barely knew, wanted to give us a ride. We wrecked in the same area going 100mph years ago. We all were absolutely blessed to survive, lodged over 50 feet deep into the woods, which was not visible from the dark road. Moral of this story is that this has happened too many times before. Its too bad that we need to treat every day like it could be our last, because unfortunately it is the truth. Shoal line does need to be lit up< because it is extremely dark< and it is the only way out to Hernando Beach. Being so dark invites speeders and drunks to feel a false sense of security. Its time to get our tax dollars in perspective by lighting up the only rout out to Hernando Beach!!!!! Its obviously way to dangerous, and we are all sick of hearing of these sometimes preventable tragities.