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2 high school students killed in Rowan Co. crash

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Two West Rowan High School students were killed in an accident on Monday afternoon.

Police have identified the students as 15-year-old Terry Johnson and 16-year-old Cody Rives.

The crash happened on Sherrills Ford Road around 3 p.m. It's unclear what caused the accident, but authorities said speed is a factor. They confirmed that both teens were sophomores and died on their way home from school.

Chopper 9 Sky Zoom was over the scene shortly after it happened. From the air,  the extent of the damage was visible.

Two cars were involved in the crash, a red Mazda Miata and a white Chevy Trailblazer.

Troopers said the two teens were in the Miata heading east on Sherrills Ford Road, when the driver lost control and slammed into the bridge. The car ricocheted off the bridge and went back into traffic where it was hit by the Trailblazer.

Eyewitness News was told that students were first on the crash scene and called police. A classmate we spoke to said all of West Rowan High School is mourning.

"I feel bad for the parents and them and said it’s just a bad day for West Rowan," said sophomore Ben Kluttz.

Monday was the first day of school. Classmates said news of what happened spread fast across campus. Guidance counselors said there will be extra grief counselors on hand Tuesday and the rest of the week for anyone who needs them.

School administrators said they are making sure all parents are notified about what happened.