Car racing crash kills teen, closes Ogden Canyon

OGDEN — A teenage girl was killed, and another teenager was hospitalized in serious condition after a high-speed race along state Route 39 in Ogden Valley went awry Thursday.

Police are still investigating the crash but believe an Acura and a Honda were racing west along the two lane road when they both tried to pass a van and the Acura lost control, running off the south side of the road before crashing into a tree, said Weber County Sheriff's Lt. Philip Howell.

The 16-year-old girl, who police said was a high school student, was found dead at the scene about 3:30 p.m. The driver, also believed to be in high school, had to be extracted from the vehicle and was flown to McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Howell said. Police later said he is in stable condition

Two other passengers in the Acura were able to exit the vehicle and left in a private vehicle for the same hospital. Police believe all occupants of the Acura are from the Ogden area.

Officers believe the vehicles were speeding when the accident occurred, Howell said.

The driver of the van was not injured and pulled over when he noticed the accident and stayed to help investigators. Witnesses say the Honda left the scene and investigators are following leads to try and identify the vehicle.

The crash occurred in the unincorporated area of Weber County, about 200-300 yards west of Pineview Dam where the road enters Ogden Canyon. The canyon was closed following the crash but was reopened about 7 p.m.

— Lana Groves