Two Teens Killed, Two Injured in Early Morning Manatee County Crash

Two 19-year-olds were killed and two other teenagers injured early Saturday morning in a single-vehicle crash in Manatee County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said a Dodge Charger carrying four teens was traveling south on Silverleaf Avenue near U.S. 301 around 2:15 a.m. when it left the roadway and struck several trees.

The driver, from Ellenton, and a passenger, from Parrish, both 19, were pronounced dead at the scene. A 17-year-old male passenger from Parrish remains in critical condition, while a 16-year-old female passenger from New York is in serious condition. She was the only occupant wearing a seatbelt.

Authorities said the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash. The cause remains under investigation, and the names of those involved have not yet been released.