Police suspect teens jumping hills before fatal wreck

ST. LOUIS -- Two teen-agers were killed and two others injured in an accident in south St. Louis County. Police said the men were speeding and "hill jumping" before the accident.

Michael Fendler, 19, was driving as fast as 100 mph or more when his 1995 Pontiac Firebird jumped a hill and struck a utility pole about 1:50 a.m. Wednesday, police said. The speed limit there is 35 mph, and none of them was wearing a seat belt.

Fendler and a passenger, 19-year-old Jordan Faeger, were both killed. Zachary Caviecy, 19, was reported in critical condition. Matthew Niemeyer, 19, was reported in stable condition.

All four men lived in the Oakville area of south St. Louis County, where they had attended high school in the Mehlville School District.

All four were thrown from the wreckage, and at least one hit a window at a nearby house. Investigators said they do not believe alcohol was involved.

Mementos at site

Young people from the area gathered at the crash site Wednesday, leaving flowers and mementos. Debris from the mangled Firebird, including photos, cell phones, shoes and CDs, was piled nearby.

Hill jumping or hill topping typically involves accelerating up a hilly road so the car becomes airborne when it reaches the top. Officer Rick Eckhard, spokesman for the St. Louis County Police, said a driver who does it loses all control.

"The steering wheel becomes useless," he said.

Fatal accidents related to hill jumping have taken a steady number of lives in Missouri and across the country over the years.

On Sept. 15, 2000, a crash in Independence killed 15-year-old passenger Mistyka Fiedler after a football game. The two 16-year-old boys who were also in the car later admitted to charges that would constitute involuntary manslaughter if they were tried as adults.