NBC NEWS EXCLUSIVE: SURVIVOR WHITNEY CERAK, HER FAMILY, AND MEMBERS OF THE VAN RYN FAMILY SPEAK OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A SPECIAL 'DATELINE' PRESENTATION WITH MATT LAUER � FRIDAY, MARCH 28 at 9PM

Lauer to Interview Both Families Live on "Today," Thursday, March 27 and Whitney Cerak to Appear Live on "Today," Friday, March 28

PROGRAM NOTE

NEW YORK � March 21, 2008 � Students Laura Van Ryn and Whitney Cerak were involved in a fatal car crash that left five dead and four others seriously injured in April 2006. The aftermath of this tragic accident became an emotional and remarkable story of faith, family, and an unfathomable case of mistaken identity that shocked national and international communities alike and left two families asking, "How could this have gone on so long?" Now, two years later, members of the young women's families are speaking out for the very first time exclusively to NBC News' Matt Lauer in a two-hour special "Dateline" presentation.

On Thursday, March 27 (7:00 AM/ET), the Van Ryns and Ceraks will appear live on "Today," and survivor Whitney Cerak will be on live Friday, March 28.

David Corvo is the executive producer of "Dateline NBC" (9:00 PM/ET) and Jim Bell is the executive producer of "Today" (7:00 AM/ET). Photos of Lauer with the families will be available on www.nbcumv.com.