Six Clark County teenagers were taken to area hospitals Thursday afternoon after the SUV they were traveling in spun off Northeast 117th Street.
The small SUV rolled multiple times, coming to rest on the shore of Salmon Creek under Interstate 5, shortly after 1 p.m., according to Clark County Fire District 6.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office said all of the occupants crawled out of the vehicle and up to 117th Street.
There were nine teens in the SUV, all apparently Prairie High School students, according to first responders. Three refused to be taken to a hospital.
Witnesses said the SUV was traveling at least 70 mph and driving erratically before the crash, Fire District 6 said.
One witness said the vehicle went out of control and slid into oncoming traffic. It then struck the curb on the north side of 117th Street, jumped onto the sidewalk and rolled down a 50-foot embankment, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. Not all of the occupants were wearing a seat belt.
“Authorities say it is a miracle that no one was killed in this crash, and they caution young drivers to drive responsibly,” Fire District 6 said.
Three fire engines and multiple firefighters from Fire District 6 responded, as well as multiple ambulances from AMR.
The sheriff’s office traffic unit is investigating the crash, and charges may be possible.
