between one of these women, mw, and a 17-year-old victim approached at high school. mw says you trying to make some money? the victim replies how? mw says tricking. you get 50% and you get all the drugs you want. the ringleader is 26-year-old justin strom. he's accused of prostituting the girls in motels and going door to door soliciting clients in apartment buildings. the girls were given drugs and alcohol and if they refused to have sex, they were often beaten, raped and in one instance strom even forced a 17- year-old girl to perform a sex act on him while holding a knife to her neck. that same girl had been targeted on facebook. >> as parents we need to truly be more aware of the risks that our sons and our daughters face. i ask that parents speak often with their children and that they support them, ask questions. >> reporter: it was actually a vigilant parent who helped launch this investigation four

months ago. investigators say if you have a teenage daughter, talk to them about this case because there are likely many more victims out there. in alexandria kristin fisher, 9 news now. >> thanks, kristin, wow. a heartbreaking story from southern prince george's county tonight. a 17-year-old girl suddenly collapsed and died during her p.e. class at surrattsville high school. >> medical examiner still doesn't know why. bruce leshan is live in clinton where the teenagers' friends and family are trying to figure out how it could happen and deal with this unexpected tragedy. >> reporter: the students here were sobbing as they released balloons in the memory of tekau rasayon back here right on the field where she died. her dad tells me he felt like he had been shot in the back when he walked into the emergency room at southern maryland hospital and saw doctors desperately trying to resuscitate his daughter. >> this was my baby, man.

>> reporter: tekau's father is struggling to understand her sudden death. >> i saw them doing chest compressions on her and then you go in and you see your baby lying there and then you take a peek and you see her pupils completely dilated. >> reporter: one of his last memories of his daughter waltzing in the kitchen with her as she prepared for her upcoming catillion dance. >> i slept in her bed and i asked her why did she cross over, you know, and after i had gone through my little battery of questions of the great spirit like, you know, why would you snatch my daughter at such a young age. >> reporter: her classmates released pink balloons, her favorite color, into a crystal blue sky. >> i'm hurt, but i'm happy she in a better place. >> i'm going to try to get through the day. take it one step at a time. >> reporter: they remembered

her spirit, her joy for life, her dedication to the school rotc and then on the track field where she collapsed and died they wept. so hard for adults to understand this. how do teenagers understand this? >> it's very difficult and that's why we just have to say we never know what's going to happen. so we have to just live our lives the best we can, treat each other with love and respect and dignity because that's what tekau did. >> reporter: the 17-year-old was in excellent shape. she played volleyball in addition to her rotc training. >> you may have your youth, but longevity on the planet is not promised. so it would be wise to try and be as productive person as you can. >> reporter: tekau was a straight a student and she planned to attend the air force academy. her dad says that she loved the military drills. she'd actually come running into the house and say are you motivated yet? she had that effect on people, but no more. derek.

>> i'll take it back, bruce. thank you. what a loss. meantime an update tonight on what a couple whose address was mistakenly tweeted out by a hollywood director in association with the trayvon martin case. we first told you about david and elaine mclean last night at 6:00. director spike lee tweeted out their address saying it was that of george zimmerman. zimmerman is the neighborhood watch captain who shot and killed the 17-year-old last month. last night lee sent another tweet writing i deeply apologize to the mclean family for retweeting their address. it was a mistake. please leave the mcleans in peace, justice in court. h.o.t. lanes under construction in between springfield and tysons corner will be called express lanes to match up with all the other express lanes in the country, but these lanes are different. you see, the toll pricing for them will be based on demand. as peggy fox tells us, there's really no limit to how much you might have to pay to keep moving. >> reporter: there's nothing

like a mild winter to keep a major project on schedule. some portions of the 495 express lanes are already getting paved. there are four new lanes, two on each side running 14 miles from springfield to tyson, you know that, stretch that's always jammed up? the express lanes provide a way out of that mess either with a three-person carpool or for a price. >> we have an obligation to maintain a minimum of 45. so we're going to be between 45 and 55 constantly. >> reporter: how do you do that? >> we're going to use a variable tolling method to limit the number of vehicles on the road of. >> reporter: kim steinhelder, builder and operator of the lanes says it's all about demand. how much are you willing to pay to not be stuck? in between the express and general lanes will be plastic barriers that emergency vehicles can roll right over, but don't think you'll be able to cheat and get inside the express lane without getting

caught. cameras are being set up along the entire route. to ride the 495 express lanes you must have an ez pass or smart tag. you sneak in without one, you'll likely be photographed and sent a bill for your toll the first time. >> if you're a habitual violator, there is certainly a system where you'll be charged penalties for violating on that road. >> reporter: if you plan to ride with three or more, you need a flex pass which you can switch on or off for free ride carpooling, but if you're caught with fewer than three on board, a state trooper will likely catch you. 11 troopers are being hired just to patrol the 495 express lane. peggy fox, 9 news now. today the house passed the republican version of a new federal budget, but the $3.5 trillion plan is expected to be dead on arrival when it gets to the senate. the republican plan lowers income tax rates and erases several tax breaks while

revamping medicare and cutting food stamp and transportation programs. >> the bill is passed without objection and motion to reconsider is laid on the table. >> the house did manage to pass a bill today that will keep work going on several highway construction projects for the next three months. a few hours later the senate passed the same stopgap measure by a voice vote. the government's current transportation program would have expired this coming sunday. the district plans to hold a series of evening of events next month to mark the 150th anniversary of emancipation today. on april 16th, 1862 a federal law freed more than 3,000 slaves living in the city. d.c. is planning a parade along pennsylvania avenue, a street festival and march along the national mall. we've all had those moments when you really wish you could take back something you've just said. vice president joe biden may have had that after speaking in iowa last night. >> let me say it again. thank you, terry, and thank

you, dr. pepper and thank you, chancellor -- dr. paper and thank you, chancellor. >> he was referring to the president of scott community college, not the soft drink, slip of the tongue, thirsty, who knows? happens to all of us. tonight at 11:00 less snow will equal less snow for students this year. emergency weather days, they didn't need them. coming up at 7:00 we'll see if any local students will enjoy an early summer recess. >> we're ready for that. the blame game, who most americans think responsible for rising prices at pump. >> the winds are dying down, a very nice evening. we'll show you the almanac data, a little deceiving because the 70 occurred just after midnight. the daytime high was in the blow 60s, low so far 56 -- low 60s, low so far 56. we'll come back and talk about a cold front that rolls in tomorrow night, let you know what that means for our

weekend. >> up next coffee, milk, now beef, a look at the chances of a price hike next.

back on 9 news now with a consumer alert, the price of about everything seeming to go up yearly. what about beef? an economist at purdue university predicts beef prices will rise 5% due to higher feed prices and an ongoing drought in the southern plains. however, an increase is partially offset by lower demand. americans are eating less and on average the average american was eating an estimated 65 pounds of beef per year and that's dropped 10 pounds. is pink slime getting an unjust bad rap? today governors and other politicians from texas to south dakota joined forces to defend the use of this highly processed meat. they toured a factory in nebraska and held a press conference saying recent safety concerns are unfounded. unfounded or not because of growing public concern, several

grocery store chains recently announced they are stopping using the stuff in their products. now if you're looking to buy a home, here's some numbers you need to hear. this week the average rate on a 30 year fixed mortgage dropped back below 4%. it stands at 3.99%. the average rate on a 15 year fixed mortgage also fell down to 3.23%. still ahead tonight all across the nation people are dreaming, those dollars dancing around their heads have grown tremendously in a couple days. we'll have the latest on the growing mega millions jackpot. labored breathing ]

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president obama made a plea to congress today to end tax breaks for big oil. >> it's like hitting the american people twice. you're already paying a premium at the pump right now and on top of that congress up until this point had thought it was a good idea to send billions of

dollars more in tax dollars to the oil industry. >> just moments after that speech in the rose garden the senate voted not to consider the bill. a new poll out by cnn finds the majority of americans blame oil companies and not the government for our high gas prices. elizabeth cordon with more on the blame game. >> reporter: according to aaa the national average for a gallon of self-serve regular is $3.92. a survey finds seven in 10 people say rising gas prices creates an economic hardship. nearly half believe they'll be paying $5 a gallon sometime this year and the majority are putting the blame on oil companies. last year the industry raked in nearly $133 billion in profits. thursday president obama gave final push for his initiative to end subsidies to the country's biggest oil companies. >> instead of taxpayer give- aways to an industry that's never been more profitable, we should be using that money to double down on investments in

clean energy technologies that have never been more promising. >> reporter: senate republicans were not convinced and blocked the democratic sponsored bill. >> senate democrats ask us all to come out here not so we can make an actual difference in the lives of working americans and families struggling to fill the gas tank, but so we can watch them stage votes for show. >> reporter: opponents of the plan argue repealing subsidies will not force gas prices lower. >> you can always find the lowest gas prices in your area at www.wusa9.com. click on the link there called pump patrol. of course, things like gas prices would probably be of no consequence to you if you win the record setting $50,040,000,000 mega millions jackpot -- $540 million mega million jackpot. it could go higher by the name the numbers are drawn tomorrow night. >> reporter: i'm matt jablow at one of many locations throughout the entire

washington area doing a brisk business in lottery tickets today as area residents dream of becoming multi-millionaires. >> anybody want to do desserts, coffees? >> reporter: william alvarez has been a waiter at bobby van's steakhouse in downtown washington the past five years. he says working here has always been enjoyable, but never more so than the past six days. >> we joke around. we're a little more jovial. >> reporter: you see, william and 13 co-workers pooled their resources, bought a few lottery tickets and won $10,000 in last friday's mega millions drawing. >> i found ought about 5:00 saturday. they called me here from the restaurant. i thought they were joking. >> reporter: at the risk of seeming greedy they're now hoping for an even bigger prize, in fact the largest prize in american lottery history. >> i hope lightning strikes twice. >> reporter: $540 million counting. >> i think we have a better chance because last time we put $5 in and this time we each put $20 in. >> reporter: matt jablow, 9

news now. >> if you buy a ticket, you have the option of lump sum or annual payments. the payments would be almost $21 million for the next 26 years. that's sweet. if you opt for the lump sum, it works out to 389 million before taxes. wow. college paid for. >> paid for. grad school, paid for. >> okay. back to reality. >> we are looking at a very nice finish to the week, but a cold front will roll through tomorrow night and on saturday. it's not going to be a washout saturday but sunday probably the better of the two weekend days. let's start with live look outside. it is crystal clear, just gorgeous. the winds are still flapping the flags around. the winds will die down later on after midnight. this is brought to you by michael and son. sustained wind is north at 13, dew point in the mid-30s, which is not bad. earlier in the week dew points were in the low teens and we

were concerned about the fruit trees, not tonight. 60 in arlington, 59 bethesda and rockville, 57 gaithersburg and we're looking at upper 50s in great falls and reston and leesburg. still 63 in manassas, 64 fort belvoir, 61 college park, 59 in beltsville. so marchlike but okay. that can be okay, the tail end of march here. colder tonight, no frost or freeze in the immediate metro area. nice tomorrow and a few clouds come in late but still friday is going to be nice, cool and unsettled on saturday but not a complete washout. tonight clear skies and colder, winds diminish, one to two blanket night, lows 34 to 44, winds becoming northwest at 10. we have frost advisories for the northern tier of counties near frederick and washington county and frederick county, virginia. then a freeze warning north of that for our friends up in adams county near chambersburg across the divide into oakland

and petersburg. i'm not that concerned about fruit trees there either. lows tonight in our area well above freezing. in fact, we're looking at mid- to upper 30s in gaithersburg, 42 arlington, 43 downtown, maybe 38 in college park and reston, 39 in fairfax. tomorrow morning sunshine, a chilly start. i'd grab a light jacket, temps in the 30s and 40s. good news, light winds and by afternoon partly cloudy, pleasant, a few clouds come in late but highs between 60 and 65. the winds late southeast at about 10. next seven days, again some showers and maybe a thunderstorm on saturday, but not a washout, low 60s, nicer sunday, low 70s, maybe a shower toward evening, but the bulk of the day is fine and great monday and tuesday, back in the upper 70s by tuesday, maybe storms wednesday and then cooler on thursday, back in the upper 50s. so the threat of frost is still around for about another month. >> thanks, topper. kind of a do or die night for the caps. the pressure is mounting.

>> i know. it's getting to that point with only five games left. they need every win they can get. tonight they're in boston. it would be a huge win for them and they might get a little extra help. find out who is back in the lineup. >> plus gary williams takes a jab at wizards and donovan mcnabb criticizings the redskins. sports is next. criticizes the redskins. sports is next.

now 9 sports with kristen berset, the best sports in town. >> the capitals playoff hopes aren't dead yet. there's still a slim chance they could make their fifth straight postseason appearance. their best shot would be to win all of their remaining five games, but it won't be easy. three of those games are on the road, a place where the caps struggled all seasoning if 14- 20-4. first to check off the -- going 14-20-4. first to check off the list is boston. they'll clinch a playoff spot with their win tonight over the caps. >> we have to be at our best to beat boston because they're a good team. we all know they're solid. so we have to be our best. we can't give them chances or it's going to be in the back of our net. >> the goalie carousel keeps

turning. tomas vokoun will start tonight, his first since march 16th. he says his strained groin is healed and dale hunter wanted that veteran experience on the ice. time to vote in our high school game of the week poll. your last chance today among your choices, two big match-ups in boys lacrosse plus baseball girls soccer. there's an ongoing debate in the sports world regarding college teams versus the pros. if an native team were to play a college team -- if an native team to were play a college team, who would -- if an nba team would play a college team who would win? let's say kentucky was to play the wizards. would john wall get beat by his alma mater? earlier this week gary williams was asked that same question. >> you walk into some gyms and you better be tough regardless

of how good you are. i think one game atropia reason a i wouldn't be surprised -- at rupp arena, i wouldn't be surprised to see the kentucky win one game. the final four show on saturday, louisville tips at 6:09, the next game at 8:49. you can watch it all right here. donovan mcnabb was not a good fit for the redskins offense and now he says rg3 isn't a good fit either blaming thing a owes of the shanahans saying he's not sure if they're willing to tailor their offense. you would think as much as they gave up to get him, they would try to help him out. >> no sour games there? >> just a little. >> they should have tried jason campbell. never did that. they're aware of the highway. >> that's all for 9 news now. stay with wusa9 for the cbs

evening news next and derek is back at 7:00. good night. labored breathing ] [ coughing continues ] [ gasping ] [ elevator bell dings, coughing continues ] [ female announcer ] washington can't ignore the facts. more air pollution means more childhood asthma attacks. [ coughing continues ]