Eugene Symphony mourns the loss of two lead musicians

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Story Published: Feb 12, 2007 at 6:11 PM PST

By Meghan Kalkstein

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EUGENE, Ore. - Members of the Eugene Symphony are in shock and trying to make sense of a tragic loss Monday. Two musicians were killed and another injured in a head-on crash on Interstate 5.

The three women were driving to their Portland area homes after a rehearsal in Eugene. One of them survived the crash, but members of the symphony say the loss is devastating.

"We just saw some headlights and Kjersten said, 'Oh my God, I think there's a car headed towards us," says survivor Kelly Gronli.

Those were the last words survivor Kelly Gronli heard before the crash.

"Kjersten jerked the wheel our cars collided it all happened very quickly," Gronli said.

Police say 26-year-old Fivea Sharipoff of Salem was driving in the wrong direction on I-5 and slammed head on into Kjersten Oquist's car. Kelly escaped with minor injuries, but her friends Angela Svendsen and Oquist died at the scene. Police charge Sharipoff was driving under the influence.

"It's always a tragedy when there's a drunk driving crash, it's especially tragic this time because the 3 people in that crash are all members of the symphony on their way home," said Lt. Mark Cotter with Oregon State Police.

Both women were leaders of their section: Angela was the principle second violinist, while Kjersten was principle violist. "They were really incredible leaders and took their jobs very seriously," said Paul Winberg, Executive Director of the Eugene Symphony.

And Winberg said this loss is hitting the Eugene Symphony hard.

"The loss is just really devastating both personally and of course for the organization," said Winberg.

And as principal oboist and sole survivor in the car, Kelly said it's going to take some time to heal.

"I just feel really really lucky to be alive but just so sad for my friends they were wonderful, wonderful girls and just so full of life," said Gronli.

The women were practicing for a performance that was supposed to take place this Thursday. No word yet on if the symphony will still play this week.

Fivea Sharipoff was taken to the hospital, but as of Monday night, she's at the Linn County jail accused of manslaughter, assault and drunken driving. Police said she pleaded guilty to drunk driving in 2003.

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