WARREN, Ohio -  Six teenagers have died, and two injured after a car flipped over and landed in a pond in Warren.

Police say the accident occurred around 7 a.m. at 1901 Pine Avenue SE.

Eight people were in a Honda Passport when the vehicle veered off the left side of a road, hit a guardrail, overturned and landed in a nearby swamp.

A number of departments were called, including the dive team, as officials worked to remove the vehicle from the scene.

Two people were able to escape and contact 911. Another victim was ejected from the vehicle and was found under it when it was removed from the water.

The remaining five victims were removed from the vehicle.  

Victims

Officials have identified all of the victims in the crash. The names of the victims are as follows:

 

Injured:

  • Brian K.  Henry, age 18, of Warren, Ohio

  • Asher  C. Lewis, age 15, of Warren, Ohio

 
Deceased:

  • Alexis Cayson, age 19, Warren, Ohio (Identified as the driver of the vehicle).

  • Andrique Bennett, age 14, Warren, Ohio

  • Kirklan M. Behner, age 15, Warren, Ohio

  • Daylan  Ray, age 15, Warren, Ohio

  • Brandon A. Murray, age 14, Warren, Ohio

  • Ramone M. White, age 15, Warren, Ohio

 

Friends and Family React

Jacqueline Kimble, who called 911 for help after getting word from one of the victims, found out that her nephew, Andrique Bennett, was one of the six teens who died in that accident.

"He's always been special," Kimble said, adding that a lot of the victims were friends of her children. "A lot of the kids were special." 

Outside of a counseling session held at Willard K-8 school, friends gathered around in morning to remember their friends.

"I woke up to my mom saying that I lost my friend, and I just started breaking down," said 9th grader Marquise Jones.

Marlon Pearson said he did not believe it when he first heard from his step mom that his friends had died.

"I thought she was just playing around," Pearson said. "But then, once I seen, like all four of them, the ones I was close to, I just started breaking down."

Warren City Officials React

Warren Mayor Doug Franklin said that he immediately went to the hospitals where the victims were to speak with the families.

"My heart and prayers go out to the families. It's a horrific morning," Franklin said.

Warren Councilman Bob Dean said that an account at Huntington bank will be created so people can donate to the families.

"We think that there are enough people, as always, in this town. When we have these kinds of tragedies, they step right up and we get it done," Dean said.

Warren councilwoman Helen Rucker, who knew grandparents of the victims, said caution signs need to be put around the area where the accident occurred,

"It's a dangerous curve there, you know," Rucker said. "[There have] been accidents there, fatal accidents, there in the past."

Investigation

At a press conference held by OSP, investigators said they are looking at all factors that could have contributed to the accident including the speed of the vehicle and if alcohol played a role. However, they would not confirm anything that could be related to a cause of the accident.

Investigators do not know where the victims were coming from or going to either. The vehicle driven by Alexis Cayson was registered in a Marguis Stephenson of Youngstown. However, no stolen vehicle reports or "anything of that nature" was filed. 

Officials had one confirmation about the accident though: it was the worst reported traffic- related incident to happen in the history of Trumbull County, with OSP Lt. Brian Holt adding, "I can tell you in the last three years, this is the only crash that had more than five deaths in the State of Ohio." 

A press conference from the school will be held Monday at 10 a.m.

Stay connected with wfmj.com and 21 News for more on this developing story.