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2 Friends Killed In I-285 Crash

Posted: 4:53 pm EDT June 17, 2009Updated: 5:59 pm EDT June 17, 2009

Two friends were killed in a car crash that started as a street race on I-285, according to police.

Brandon Phillips, 20, and Jordan Makanani, 18, were killed on I-285 near LaVista Road Tuesday night.

Police said they believe Phillips was racing his Corvette with a driver of a Mustang when he lost control. Makanani was a passenger in Phillips’ car.

Investigators said Wednesday that the driver of the Mustang showed up at the police department for questioning. Police said they checked out the car and don’t believe it was involved in the crash.

Tyler Makanani said his sister, Jordan, was full of energy. “She loved to smile. Every time you’d see her, she’d be smiling,” he said.

Jordan Makanani

Jordan Makanani

Jordan had just graduated from Heritage High School in Conyers and was considered the life of the party, according to her brother.

“She was just a party animal, that’s it. She just loved to be with her friends,” said Tyler Makanani.

Jordan Makanani was with her friend, Brandon Phillips, Tuesday night, riding in his Corvette on I-285 when he changed lanes and careened into the guard rail, according to police. The car hit a Lexus SUV and then shredded into pieces.

Both Makanani and Phillips were killed in the crash.

Witnesses said they may have been racing with a maroon Ford Mustang just before the crash. That driver came forward Wednesday, but police said they still aren’t about exactly what happened.

Both Phillips and Makanani had been hanging out at a Starbucks parking lot before the crash. Thirty or so friends all got the news within minutes of the crash.

“(People were) hysterical. There was a lot of crying going on,” said Bryan Connors.

Connors was friends with Makanani and said she and Phillips will be missed.

“(It’s) very heartbreaking. It makes me very sad,” he said.

Jordan’s brother said his family is devastated to lose her so young.

Brandon Phillips

Brandon Phillips

“She was the best sister I could have. I don’t know what I’m going to do without her,” Tyler said.

Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the crash, or saw the Mustang and Corvette before the crash, to give them a call.

Police said they continue to search for evidence to prove whether racing was involved. Currently, the Mustang driver does not face charges.

Police said the woman driving the Lexus SUV hit by the Corvette is out of the hospital. Her male passenger is in serious condition. Police have not released their names, and have only said they are from Georgia.

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