Five teenagers were involved in a high-speed car accident that ended with the vehicle in flames yesterday night in Harwich on Cape Cod. As law enforcement conducted speed enforcement, two Harwich police officers witnessed the speeding vehicle, with one officer clocking the car at 60 mph and the other estimating the speed at 80 mph in a 40 mph zone. The single-car crash took place just before 11 p.m. on Queen Anne Road, near Rebecca Road, as reported by WCVB.
After the vehicle went off the road and crashed through the guardrail, it caught on fire, according to CBS News Boston. Responding officers found four of the teenagers outside of the car upon arrival, and noted that none of them had been wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. In a swift action, the officers used a fire extinguisher to quell the flames and extricated a 17-year-old girl trapped in the back seat.
The crash resulted in serious injuries for two 17-year-old girls, who were airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Three 18-year-old men were also injured, but sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to Cape Cod Hospital. It's been indicated by police that despite the severity of the incident, all injured parties are expected to survive.
While speed has been cited as a likely contributing factor to the accident, Harwich police have stated there is no evidence to suggest that alcohol or drugs were involved. The names and hometowns of the victims have not been released, and as the investigation continues, it remains unclear whether the driver will face charges, according to statements by police obtained by both news outlets.
