WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — Two 17-year-olds from Wesley Chapel were killed after the SUV they were in crashed into a retention pond, Florida Highway Patrol said.
It happened around 10:30 p.m. Monday in the area of Estancia Boulevard and San Romano Drive in Wesley Chapel.
According to troopers, the 2003 Toyota Sequoia was driving northbound on Estancia Boulevard approaching San Romano Drive when the 17-year-old male driver lost control "for unknown reasons."
The SUV then went off the road and crashed into a retention pond, which then went underwater, FHP said. Troopers say the Pasco County Sheriff's Office Dive Team found the SUV several hours later.
Both teens had died. Friends say the two teens were dating and had just graduated high school.
“It could have been us — we were driving last night — it could have been us. You think it can't happen to you, and then it does," said Carter Kelly, who lives down the road from the crash site.
Kelly says the teenage girl lives around the corner from where the crash happened. He said he spoke to her father, and he asked for everyone to keep her in their prayers.
Troopers say the crash is still under investigation.