(04/21/06) KINNELON ? Residents in Kinnelon spent Friday mourning the loss of two girls struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver.

Police say 44-year-old Eugene Baum consumed alcohol and prescription medication before getting behind the wheel Thursday night. He later fatally struck 15-year-old Maydea Jafar and her cousin, 16-year-old Athear Jafar. Maydea lived in Kinnelon and Athear was a resident of Oakridge. Police say Baum drank half a liter of vodka and took Librium, a medicine used to treat anxiety disorders.

Police say Baum stated he had only eaten a bowl of cereal the entire day. Officials at Kinnelon High School, where Maydea was a sophomore, say they are devastated by the tragic loss.