19yr Old Floridian Model Killed In Fiery Crash!

[Diane4145]

Sunday, July 30, 2006
TRENTON, New Jersey - A young woman killed in a fiery crash on the New Jersey Turnpike highway was a promising 19-year-old fashion model who recently appeared on the cover of Italian Vogue.

New Jersey State Police confirmed Sunday that Heather Bratton died at the scene of a three-car collision on July 22.

A statement on the Web site of her booking agency, Women Management, said she was en route to Newark International Airport. Her stepfather, Tim Kerrigan, told The New York Post she had been in New York for a magazine photo shoot.

Bratton, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, was photographed by noted fashion photographer Steven Meisel for a recent Italian Vogue cover. She also appeared this summer in shows in Milan and Paris, modeling for Prada, Gucci, Burberry and Chanel.

"Heather was a sweet, gentle and thoughtful girl who achieved a remarkable level of success during her first year modeling, which is a credit to her distinct beauty and spirit," said the Women Management statement.

Police said the hired car in which she was a passenger had broken down in the center lane of the turnpike, and was rear-ended by a sport utility vehicle. Bratton's sedan then struck another car. The SUV and the sedan both caught fire and Bratton was trapped inside.

The accident remained under investigation.

The sedan driver remained in intensive care Sunday at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston with burns over his entire body. Two other people suffered lesser injuries.

 

[flowergirl40pc]

Sunday, July 30, 2006
TRENTON, New Jersey - A young woman killed in a fiery crash on the New Jersey Turnpike highway was a promising 19-year-old fashion model who recently appeared on the cover of Italian Vogue.

New Jersey State Police confirmed Sunday that Heather Bratton died at the scene of a three-car collision on July 22.

A statement on the Web site of her booking agency, Women Management, said she was en route to Newark International Airport. Her stepfather, Tim Kerrigan, told The New York Post she had been in New York for a magazine photo shoot.

Bratton, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, was photographed by noted fashion photographer Steven Meisel for a recent Italian Vogue cover. She also appeared this summer in shows in Milan and Paris, modeling for Prada, Gucci, Burberry and Chanel.

"Heather was a sweet, gentle and thoughtful girl who achieved a remarkable level of success during her first year modeling, which is a credit to her distinct beauty and spirit," said the Women Management statement.

Police said the hired car in which she was a passenger had broken down in the center lane of the turnpike, and was rear-ended by a sport utility vehicle. Bratton's sedan then struck another car. The SUV and the sedan both caught fire and Bratton was trapped inside.

The accident remained under investigation.

The sedan driver remained in intensive care Sunday at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston with burns over his entire body. Two other people suffered lesser injuries.

So sad the tragic loss of lives, especially young ones, my two sons who are 24 and 20 have actually been to more funerals than I have, my youngest lost 2 friends in accidents last year

 

[audie]

what is it with all the traffic deaths lately ? we have had 2 oldsters get killed on motorcycles, one oldster hit a modular home as it was going up the road and was killed. a lady got out of her car to shut the back door and got ran over by her own vehicle and killed. a high school kid had a seizure and got killed last week. i am almost afraid to leave home ....

 

[bsmart]

There have been a lot of fatality accidents around my town lately too. Just last week someone sped through a red light and hit and killed a friend of my uncle. He leaves behind three children and a wife. I think it is time to slow down, hang up the cell in heavy traffic and realize that no stupid job is worth someone's or even your own life. Arriving late is a fact of life these days, get up earlier in the morning and maybe tardiness can be avoided.

 

[flowergirl40pc]

There have been a lot of fatality accidents around my town lately too. Just last week someone sped through a red light and hit and killed a friend of my uncle. He leaves behind three children and a wife. I think it is time to slow down, hang up the cell in heavy traffic and realize that no stupid job is worth someone's or even your own life. Arriving late is a fact of life these days, get up earlier in the morning and maybe tardiness can be avoided.

I TOTALLY agree

 

[audie]

i'm with ya - there is nothing so important i have to kill myself to get there. i get so angry every time i see someone blabbing on a cell phone while driving. esp. teenagers.

 

[Diane4145]

I always stress to my grown sons and extended family, watch out for everything and anything, around you! Especially, when approaching and going thru an intersection! Great numberS of People are killed daily, because of not paying attention! We should always expect, the UNEXPECTED!

 

[audie]

good advice - it's a shame not everyone gives it or follows it....

 

[Biff]

I have to agree; cell phones, teens and HANDICAP drivers. TOO many to count accidents/fatalities. I vote to up the legal driving rate up to 18yrs old. Cell phones are becoming a large part of the cause of many accidents by the younger AND older generations..

I am curious what the driving conditions were.... SUV rear-ended her vehicle in center lane.....

Its always SUCH a tragedy these days; so many young people lost in accidents or tragedies that really may have been prevented... very, very sad...............

i'm with ya - there is nothing so important i have to kill myself to get there. i get so angry every time i see someone blabbing on a cell phone while driving. esp. teenagers.

 

[Diane4145]

I have to agree; cell phones, teens and HANDICAP drivers. TOO many to count accidents/fatalities. I vote to up the legal driving rate up to 18yrs old. Cell phones are becoming a large part of the cause of many accidents by the younger AND older generations..

I am curious what the driving conditions were.... SUV rear-ended her vehicle in center lane.....

Its always SUCH a tragedy these days; so many young people lost in accidents or tragedies that really may have been prevented... very, very sad...............

I think that it's proven, people should ALWAYS get out of a car, that's stalled on a highway! It would seem that those in her car could've waited safely, at the side of the interstate.

If I were her family, I'm afraid that I would be in such dispair at her not doing that! Poor driver, burned over whole body! I wonder how they're doing, now? Any one heard?