The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a single-vehicle crash that claimed the lives of two teenagers early Sunday morning.
On February 22nd around 12:44 a.m., deputies responded to a motor vehicle crash in the 1350 block of East Nevada Street in rural Ashland. Upon arrival, emergency personnel located an Audi A6 that had struck a tree.
The car was occupied by five 17-year-old juveniles. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. Jackson County Fire District 5 and Ashland Fire & Rescue personnel conducted a complex extrication to remove the remaining occupants from the vehicle. The Ashland Police Department responded to assist with the investigation.
Mercy Flights transported the four remaining occupants to a local hospital with critical injuries. Shortly after arrival, a passenger was pronounced deceased. The three remaining occupants continue to receive care at the hospital and are in stable condition.
The families of those involved have been notified. Out of respect for their privacy, the names of the juveniles are being withheld. All five occupants were students at Ashland High School.
The preliminary investigation indicates the car was traveling eastbound on East Nevada Street at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control prior to a 90-degree curve, causing the car to leave the roadway and strike a tree. The impact caused catastrophic damage to the vehicle.
The case is being investigated by the Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team.
