4 teens killed in high-speed crash

SPANISH FORK — Police say four Utah County teens were killed Sunday when a car traveling at a high rate of speed on a rural road crashed into a concrete barrier on a curve and rolled.

The teens were traveling along Emma Park Road, about a quarter of a mile from U.S. 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon, in a sub-compact Chevy Aveo at what investigators believe were speeds near 95 mph before the crash occurred. Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon said investigators believe the crash happened sometime in the early morning hours between 2 and 4 a.m.

Accident investigators estimated the speed based on skid marks leading to the barrier and the overall damage to the vehicle.

At some point the westbound Aveo slid and slammed into a concrete barrier, impacting on the passenger side. The force of the impact flipped the vehicle over the barrier lining the curve in the roadway. The vehicle landed approximately 10 feet from the initial point of impact, Cannon said.

The vehicle was driven by Jose Flores, 16, Orem, who Cannon said survived the initial impact and was able to walk or crawl a short distance from the scene before dying. The three passengers, Mauro Lopez, 16, and Manuel Gonzalez, 19, both of Orem, and Vanessa Estrada, 13, Payson, were killed instantly.

"At speeds like that, there was very little time to realize the situation and do anything about it," Cannon said.

According to a release issued by the sheriff's office the force of impact broke the concrete barrier in two and "completely destroyed" the car.

A volunteer for the Price dispatch center discovered the crash and reported the accident about 7:30 a.m., Cannon said. Drugs and alcohol did not appear to be involved, but police are conducting toxicology tests.

Cannon said there is no posted speed along Emma Park Road, but Utah County code states that any unmarked road is to be traveled at 40 mph.

e-mail: cnorlen@desnews.com