To fans of late-'90s R&B groupBlaque,Natina Reedwas the sassy MC who gave hits like TLC megastar Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes, who mentored the group and even made cameos in their videos until her owntragic death in April 2002 at age 30. (In an eerie turn, the energetic femcees were known to have shared a close bond, died a decade apart, both in car accidents and right around the same age.)

The trio enjoyed music industry success with singles like the aforementioned 808 and Bring It All to Me; their videos are a veritable time capsule of pre-millennium urban sounds and styles, from mid-riff-baring metallic jumpsuits to platform sneakers. They even took their act to the big screen, playing Compton, California-bred cheerleaders in the 2000 classic Bring It On.

Reed's death prompted eulogizing as news made its way to the Net over the weekend. A distraught Williams posted this message on Twitter: "Last night the world was changed forever, life will never be the same....she was my sister."

Meanwhile, the trio's Bring It On co-star Grabielle Union was brief but equally poignant, writing, "#RIP #Sad #BringItOn."

Although earlier reports cited an unidentified hit-and-run driver as culpable in Reed's death, a Gwinnett County police spokesperson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that "as of right now, it does not appear that the driver has any fault in this event," adding that it he actually contacted police about the accident and wasn't expected to face any charges.

Reed was apparently standing a roadway late Friday night, and officials are seeking assistance from "anyone who might have information about anything that could help us determine why she was there."

'Rebecca Thomas - MTV.com'

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