Two students killed in spring break car accident

College and Wharton sophomore Matthew Blau, the driver, and Jennifer Koons, a passenger, died when their car overturned on a Florida highway March 10 after another car tried to pass them, according to Florida state police. The driver of the second car, College freshman Mitchell Solow, was not charged in the incident. A second passenger in Blau's car, College junior Tom Eaton, suffered minor injuries. He said he believes the crash was an accident and does not blame Solow for the accident. The Penny Loafers members were traveling in a caravan of three cars from Jacksonville, Florida, where they spent Saturday night, to Orlando. Solow, however, has no connection to the group and was not part of the caravan. He said yesterday he was traveling with two other students to Daytona Beach. Funeral services were held last week for both students in their hometowns. A joint memorial service will be held March 26 at 4 p.m. in Bodek Lounge. A Florida State Police press release said Solow changed lanes into the path of Blau's car "causing [him] to lose control and overturn." Solow said yesterday that he tried to pass Blau, but when he realized he could not, he returned to his original lane of traffic. He said he was back in the lane before Blau lost control of the car. He added that he received a ticket for improperly changing lanes. Investigator A.G. Conklin of the Deland, Florida Police Department said yesterday an investigation is pending and no charges have been filed. He said alcohol was not involved in the accident. Students, particulary members of the performing arts community, returned to campus yesterday and gathered together to mourn and remember their friends. Both Koons and Blau were members of the performing arts group Penn Singers, as well as Penny Loafers. College senior Nadeen Thomas, the president of Penny Loafers, said the tragedy has brought the group closer together. The group cancelled all of its shows over break and an upcoming performance. Blau, who was a native of Bellmore, New York, is remembered by friends as having a somewhat off-the-wall sense of humor and an endearing love of material possessions, especially his Toyota Celica which he was driving at the time of the accident. He was a tenor and friends said he knew music well -- even obscure groups. He was also knowledgeable about history and politics, friends said yesterday. Blau had a solo in the song "Something About You" in Penny Loafers which he had not yet performed for an audience. College sophomore Wendy Levitis said Blau knew what he wanted out of life. He was sure he could judge people of vision and considered George Bush and himself among them. She said they had discussed his possible future as President of the United States. "He wasn't sure he wanted to be President, but he always said he would be good at it," Levitis said. "He knew if he wanted to, he could do it." Eaton said Blau was very intelligent and direct. He said Blau had no qualms about saying what he felt. Koons, who was majoring in communications, was going to sing one of the minor leads in Penn Singers' performance of Pirates of Penzance. She also sang a solo in "Busy Tonight" for Penny Loafers. Friends said yesterday she was an eternal optimist who trusted everyone and was continually happy and energetic. She was always singing and she liked to write -- especially poetry and short stories. She also liked to run and ice skate, friends said. Students who shared a suite in Hill House with Koons last year said she and her roommate of two years, Wharton sophomore Tammi Stegeman, were practically inseparable. College sophomore Jamie Thibault called them "my two favorite blondes." Stegeman said others called them "the twin sisters." "We could communicate to each other without even saying anything," Stegeman said. Eaton, who had been dating Koons since the fall, called her "the most fun-loving, full of life person" he knew. "She taught me a lot about life and how to live it," Eaton said. "She was beautiful, smart and caring." And those outside the University are remembering Koons, too. Stegeman said Koons' hometown of Littlestown, Pennsylvania, is in shock. A scholarship in her name has been established. Donations can be sent to the Jennifer A. Koons Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Stan Munnert, Adams County National Bank P.O. Box 99, Littlestown PA, 17340. Bruce Montgomery, the director of Penn Singers, said counselors will be available for group members at the group's first rehearsal today. After that, the group will begin rehearsing again because Montgomery explained, "the highest tribute we can pay them is to create the joy for others." Penny Loafers President Thomas said students who bought tickets to the Penny Loafers show which has been canceled can call her at 386-9044 for refunds.