Authorities said two Newton County teens were killed in a single-vehicle wreck Tuesday evening near Burkeville.

The vehicle’s driver, Terrance Hunter, 18, of Weirgate, died at the scene, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. His passenger, 16-year-old Dewight Fowler, of Burkeville, also was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

According to a preliminary investigation, Hunter was driving at a high rate of speed on Texas 63 at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. He lost control of his vehicle, which struck a guardrail and was propelled off the roadway, Department of Public Safety officials reported.

The vehicle then crashed into a tree, causing extreme damage. A Texas Department of Public Safety photo shows Hunter’s Mercury crushed and crumpled due to the violence of the wreck.

Authorities didn’t release additional details about the crash, including information about what might have led to the incident. The state agency told local media outlets that the information released so far is considered preliminary and the investigation is ongoing.

In a post on the Burkeville Independent School District’s Facebook page, officials said their “thoughts and prayers go out to (the teens’) friends and family.”

“Our Mustang community suffered a great loss with the passing of Terrance (TJ) Hunter and Dewight (DJ) Fowler, who loss their lives in a tragic car accident yesterday,” officials wrote.

District students are asked to wear blue clothing or Mustang shirts for a balloon released planned for Thursday morning.

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