Memorial Held for Two Victims of Beltway Crash

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The pain of Thursday night's fatal Beltway crash still runs deep for friends of the four young women killed.

A special prayer service was held Saturday for two of the victims who has just graduated from West Potomac High School.

One of the cars parked outside of Aldersgate United Methodist Church had a message written on it that said, "Lydia and Renee we will always love you."

The two girls, Lydia Petkoff, 18, and Renee Nicole Shelkin, 18, died Thursday night, along with two other girls, in a fatal beltway accident.

People who knew them best came to a special memorial service held for the two girls.

"They were the life of the party," said on mourner. "Everyone always wanted to be around them."

These mourners went to high school with them, played softball with them, and partied with them.

"They were dear friends of my granddaughter, we are all just heartbroken. They had a lot of happy times together," said another of the mourners.

"Beautiful lives just lost too soon," she added, probably speaking for many of those at the special prayer service.

As police investigate the crash, friend light candles and try to comfort one another with memories of what they like best about the two girls.

The crash that killed these two girls also claimed the lives of Elaine Thackston, 20, and Sarah Renee Carter, 19.

Alcohol was found in the car, and police are trying to determine whether or not it was a factor in the crash.

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