Investigators rule out alcohol, drugs in fatal wreck

<p>Authorities have ruled out alcohol or drugs as a factor in a crash that killed two East Paulding High School teens, the Georgia State Patrol said.</p><p>"It could take several months to evaluate what happened," said Senior Trooper Larry Schall, state patrol spokesman. "We don't know if it was speed-related or a distraction."</p><p>Jonathan Hicks, 17 and Rianna Winchester, 16, were killed Thursday in Paulding County when the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer they were riding in overturned. Neither was wearing a seat belt and both were ejected from the vehicle, authorities said.</p><p>The sport utility vehicle's driver, Daniel Barron, 17, and front-seat passenger Ryan Sumpter, 16, were in stable condition Friday in Atlanta hospitals. Barron was taken to Atlanta Medical Center and Sumpter was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.</p><p>The four teens were current or former marching band members at the high school and were on their way home from practice when the accident happened, said band director Ron Becton.</p><p>Counselors were made available to students and staff at the school, which is about two miles from the wreck site.</p><p>"A lot of the students are grieving and leaning on each other," principal Charles Kuss said.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x1cd9da4)</p>