A single vehicle crash in the Town of Manitowoc early Wednesday morning claimed the lives of two teenagers.
Manitowoc County Sheriff Robert Hermann says 16-year-old Chelsie Harding and 16-year-old Zachary Zahn, both of Manitowoc, were passengers in a car driven by 18-year-old Zachary Gauthier of Whitelaw. Police say the driver lost control of the vehicle, entered a ditch and then hitting a large tree.
Hermann says the driver was in an area with a 35 mile an hour speed limit at the time of the crash. The investigation is ongoing, but he says the vehicle appears to have been going above the speed limit at the time.
Hermann could not say if alcohol was a factor in the crash.
Harding and Zahn were airlifted from the scene to hospitals in Milwaukee and Green Bay, where they were pronounced dead. Gauthier received unknown injuries and was transported by ambulance to St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay. A bench warrant has been issued for his arrest on unspecified charges.
None of the teens were wearing their seatbelt.
Brian Norton, WOMT