TROY, Idaho -- Two University of Idaho freshman were killed early Saturday morning in a rollover crash near Troy.
Police say the driver, Wyatt Smith, 17, of St. Anthony, Idaho, lost control of the 1997 GMC pickup and drove left of center on Randall Flat Road. He then hit the northbound embankment and rolled once.
Smith and Benson Sternberg, 18, of New Plymouth, were both killed in the accident.
The four other passengers in the truck were also injured. They included Tiffany Arreola, 19, of New Plymouth, Stephani Brede, 18, of St. Maries, Zachary Blank, 19, of Idaho Falls, and Clinton Johnson, 19, of Clarkston, WA.
None of the occupants of the vehicle were wearing seatbelts. Alcohol is a factor in the crash.
The University of Idaho issued the following statement:
"The University of Idaho community mourns the loss of students Wyatt Smith and Benson Sternberg, who died in a traffic crash near Troy, Idaho, early Saturday morning. Wyatt, from St. Anthony, Idaho, was a biological and agricultural engineering major, and Benson, from New Plymouth, Idaho, had yet to declare a major. Both were freshmen. Our hearts and sympathies go out to their families and friends at this sad time. The sense of loss is deepened because of the young ages of Wyatt and Benson; gone so young, we will never mark their joys and triumphs or see their potential realized.
The university community also extends healing thoughts for four other students who sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash; they have been treated and released from a local medical center. Law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation into the crash.
The university’s response team, including grief counselors, has been working since early Saturday morning with those closest to Wyatt and Benson and with all the students involved in and touched by this tragic incident. Outreach has been made to their living communities, fellow students, friends, teachers and others. Grief counseling is available to all others in the university community."
