Two killed in Bodega Bay crash were Coast Guard personnel

Samantha Crowell, 21, had only been at the Coast Guard’s Petaluma base about three weeks when she and classmate Daniel McKnew, 25, died in a fiery crash Sunday along Highway 1 in Bodega Bay.

McKnew came to the base right before the holiday season, said Lt. Erin Chlum.

Crowell, a firefighter, was previously stationed at Sandy Hook, N.J. McKnew, a seaman, had been stationed in the Persian Gulf for a year, though in the Coast Guard for four years, before he came to Two Rock training base.

“We’re very heartbroken for this tragic loss,” Chlum said. “These are two very young people, but we’re dealing with it; we’re providing as much support to the class as they need.”

The class is a small one, down to 32 students with the loss of McKnew and Crowell.

Chlum said that on Sunday evening, the base had a critical incident stress therapist at the ready for anyone who felt like they needed it. And, she said, people did.

Class resumed on Tuesday, following the Monday holiday.

“Obviously it’s a difficult week with the class,” Chlum said. “But we must continue providing the support they need, so that they’re back training, and sticking with it.”

McKnew, of Maryland, and Crowell, of New Jersey, were killed at about 1:45 a.m. when McKnew apparently lost control on a curve near Doran Park Road. The car spun off the roadway and smashed sideways ?into a large tree, bursting into flames.

The CHP is still investigating the crash, including determining how fast McKnew was driving the Hyundai Genesis and whether alcohol was a factor, said CHP Officer Jon Sloat.

The bodies were identified by a specialized dentist using dental record comparisons, sheriff’s Sgt. Cecile Focha said.

You can reach Staff Writer Christi Warren at 521-5205 or christi.warren@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @SeaWarren.

Staff Writer Randi Rossmann contributed to this report.