Jenks family hopes to for some new leads over the death of their daughter 2 years ago

We have new developments in a car crash that killed a 16 year old girl near Jenks nearly two years ago. <br><br>The three men believed involved are now all in prison for other things and the girl's

Thursday, March 4th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

We have new developments in a car crash that killed a 16 year old girl near Jenks nearly two years ago.

The three men believed involved are now all in prison for other things and the girl's family hopes that will shake loose new information.

News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright says Alana Merchant was just 16 years old, an outgoing, Christian girl with a big, loving family.

She was riding with a friend on US Highway 75 when witnesses saw two cars speeding and darting in and out of traffic, approached them. They say a black sports car careened in front of the girls' car and slammed on the brakes, the girl who was driving yanked the wheel and the car went underneath a semi-truck, and Alana didn't survive.

Craig Merchant, victim's uncle: "It's changed our lives. Not just our family but, her friends, she never had a chance to experience graduation or the stuff kids her age get to see in her lifetime at all."

The sports car belonged to Nicholas Horath, but he says he was home sleeping. Investigators suspect Travis Williams and Ryan Binney were in the cars as well. Horath was originally charged but, the charges were dropped when Binney suddenly refused to testify. Now, all three boys are in prison for other things and Merchant's family hopes anyone who was scared before is now willing to come forward or maybe even one of the boys will finally talk.

Craig Merchant: "Be a man and stand up and say, hey, I made a mistake. Come forth. I don't see how these guys sleep, if I did that, I would not be able to sleep."

The main reason Alana's family wants this case to go to court is because they want to know exactly what happened on this highway, who was driving, who's responsible so that person can be held accountable. Horath, Williams and Binney are serving time for a variety of drug, assault and weapons charges.

Alana's family is offering a cash reward to anyone who helps them get an arrest and conviction in her death.