[Hal Copple]

Steve Neibauer's wife Christy has asked me to post the following message from her, regarding her late husband's (and my good friend) death in his SPF back in Jan. She has heard that there are rumors in her community that the other car, in which the four teen's were injured, was involved in some sort of racing with another car at the time of Steve's fatal collison. He may have seen the lights coming down the hill, drove to the right, lifted, and when the car came back onto the asphalt, it spun into the path of the teen's car coming down the hill. Please respond to me or to her if you have any info to help her situation.

hal copple

Dear friends:

As many of you may recall from information posted on this web site and others, my dear friend, soul mate and husband of 24 years died the night of January 11. 2003 along with a very special friend of ours.

There is strong evidence that now links a third car to the cause of the accident. Apparently, a third car was dragging with the oldsmobile when Steven came around a blind curve, from the tracks at the accident site, he did exactly what he had been taught to do, he did not hit the break, rather he let off the throttle, this shifted the weight of the car to the rear causing the car to begin to slide. Steve regained control of the Cobra within a car length and avoided the first car, however, for reasons we may never know until our Higher Power allows us that insight, Steve veered again, this time in the direct path of the on coming car of teenagers. The forward momentum of the Cobra was now westerly on a North South road, the car that struck Steve was going fast enough to propel a 160+ 6' + male teen completely through the windshield, (non of the teens were wearing seatbelts) It is suggested that the car of the teens mus
1) The teens were totally preoccupied with each other and not paying attention to the road or their driving
2) They were impaired due to some substance
3) They were driving at a high rate of speed and did not have the skills to avoid an accident
4) Their field of vision was hampered by another vehicle which came between Steve and their car.

The Monday after the accident, several Cobra owners were walking the accident site, an off duty police officer was there, he was the first to suggest a third vehicle. If anyone spoke to the officer or was at the scene PLEASE email me immediately. This information will exonerate my husband's name and reputation. And as anyone who knew Steve, he believed if a man had his reputation he had something worth more than money.

Thank you and

Blest be to you and yours

Christy Niebauer SPF 1116