(BLOOMINGTON, Ind., Saturday, November 1, 2003) -- An Indiana University student riding in his roommate's convertible was killed when the car crashed while traveling at 120 miles per hour during a drag race, police said.
Jeffrey Maiatico, 20, likely died from blunt force trauma to his head in the accident early Friday along Indiana 446. Maiatico, an IU junior from New Jersey, was wearing his seat belt.
His roommate, Daipayan Banerjee, 21, was driving his 1997 Ford Mustang convertible when the accident occurred, leaving him with minor injuries, said Sgt. Russell Brummett of the Monroe County Sheriff's Department.
Banerjee was racing a 1995 Chevrolet Caprice driven by Patrick J. McBride,
21, north along Indiana 446 with when both Bloomington men lost control of their vehicles and crashed separately.Banerjee's Mustang traveled off the highway, flipped at least once, became airborne, and struck a tree before coming to rest.
The car's impact was so great it left marks on the tree as much as 15 feet high, and the Mustang's battery was thrown from the car with such force that it struck the side of a nearby house, Brummett said.
McBride, who was not hurt, faces misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and being involved in a speed contest.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)