Bond Reduced For Driver In Md. Crash That Killed 3

ROCKVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- A local community was shaken after three young friends were killed in a terrible car accident.  Police say another friend was behind the wheel but ran off, leaving his passengers to die.

Kai Jackson explains one victim was about to graduate from high school.

Bond for Kevin Coffay, 20, was reduced from $500,000 to $50,000.  Police say he was behind the wheel when he lost control early Sunday morning in Olney.  Three passengers, including two teens, were killed in the accident.  Police are waiting for toxicology reports, but it's believed the driver was drunk.

Police say Coffay left the scene of the crash and was arrested at his home hours later.

Friends and classmates placed flowers at the scene of a car crash that killed 18-year-old Spencer Datt, 20-year-old John Hoover and 18-year-old Haeley McGuire.

"I've known Haeley since the third grade.  She was the most bright girl I ever knew.  Very sad this had to happen," said Amelia Bell.

Just after 3 a.m. Sunday, police say the Coffay, the driver, swerved off Olney Laytonsville Road and crashed into a tree.  Instead of helping his passengers, police say Coffay ran from the crime scene.  They tracked him down three hours later, three miles away at his home in Rockville.

Coffay is charged with leaving the scene of the crash and eluding police, but State's Attorney John McCarthy says additional charges are likely.

"Preliminary indication from individuals were that the occupants of that car had attended a party and the defendant had been drinking prior to collision," McCarthy said.

Coffay's lawyer says his client simply panicked.

"There's a long difference between running through the woods to get to your house and somebody who is really trying to flee," said Michael McAuliffe, Coffay's attorney.

The crash is having a huge impact across the community.  Coffay and his four passengers all went to Magruder High School.  Haeley McGuire would have graduated May 31.

"To lose a child is really difficult.  To lose three young people is an awful lot to bear," said Lee Evans, Magruder principal.

"I don't think anyone really knows what to say.  Everyone is so sad," said Bell.

A fourth passenger suffered non-life threatening injuries. 

Prosecutors are waiting for toxicology tests to determine if more charges are needed.