MILLVILLE, Utah — Two teenagers were killed in a crash on a highway in Cache County Saturday night.
Utah Highway Patrol said around 7 p.m., the driver of a Toyota Corolla lost control on State Route 165 (Main Street) in Millville near 2300 South. The car went into the oncoming lanes and collided with a Toyota Sienna minivan, which caused the Corolla to roll.
There were five people in the Corolla, and UHP officials said three of them were ejected.
A 17-year-old boy died at the scene. The other four people in the Corolla were taken to the hospital, where one of them, a 14-year-old girl, died from her injuries.
UHP said Monday that none of the five were wearing seatbelts. They are looking into speed as a possible factor in the crash, but it is still under investigation.
Officials have not released the names of the victims due to the fact that they are minors. However, family and GoFundMe have confirmed their identities.
The 17-year-old who died at the scene was identified as Laulea "CJ" Fiefia. His family has started a fundraiser to help his mother with his funeral expenses. He is described as "hardworking and ambitious" and "always put his family first."
"Laulea balanced school, work, and sports to help provide for his family. He often spent his weekends working, not just to support his loved ones, but also to enjoy the things teenagers love—sports, laughter, and time with friends," the GoFundMe page says. "His loyalty, sense of humor, and competitive spirit made him a beloved son, brother, and friend to many."
The 14-year-old girl was identified by her family as Xylie Hutchinson. They said she was ejected from the vehicle and suffered major head trauma, which left her with no brain activity.
Her family said she loved hockey — both playing and officiating.
"Xylie was an incredible force on the ice with her hockey teams," wrote the organizer of a GoFundMe to help her family with medical and funeral expenses. "She was a fierce defender of her teammates and an amazing friend off the ice. She and her family have been a huge part in growing Northern Utah Hockey and she will be missed beyond words."
A memorial to Fiefia and Hutchinson began to grow near the crash site; the Cache County Sheriff's Office later announced that it is being moved to the nearby Blackstone office property for safety (549 S. on SR-165).
The three others who were hospitalized were initially in critical condition, but they were upgraded to "serious" as of Monday afternoon. Fundraisers for the families of Kaycin Nielsen, Braxton Miller and Thalia Linares have been confirmed by GoFundMe.
Those in the minivan sustained minor injuries.
The Cache County School District said all five people in the Corolla were either current or former students in the district.
"We are deeply heartbroken by this tragic accident, and our entire community is in mourning," a statement from the district said. "Our full attention is dedicated to supporting our students and families... We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and all who knew and cared for them during this unimaginably difficult time."
CCSD said there are counseling services available at the schools impacted by the tragedy.
