4 teenagers die in high-speed chase after trooper uses PIT maneuver

NEWBERRY, Fla. (WCJB/Gray News) - Grief counselors were at Newberry High School in Florida all week after several teenagers were killed in a crash during a chase involving state troopers in Bradford County.

Newberry city officials said all four of the teenagers, who were between the ages of 14 and 16, died after they were involved in a wreck in the Waldo area last Saturday.

Two of the teens died on the scene and the other two died from their injuries in the hospital days later.

Officials said two of the teenagers were Newberry High School students.

Bradford County Sheriff’s Office deputies said the pursuit started with an SUV that was stolen out of Gainesville. It was detected by a license plate reader hours later.

A sheriff’s deputy confirmed the SUV was stolen and followed it while waiting for backup. The deputy could tell multiple people were in the vehicle, according to investigators.

Once backup arrived, deputies attempted to pull the SUV over, but it slowed down and then sped off.

Deputies reached speeds of 111 mph during the chase, but a mechanism in their patrol vehicles prevented them from accelerating more.

Officials said deputies pulled back after they were unable to keep up with the vehicle and a Florida Highway Patrol trooper continued the chase.

The trooper rammed the vehicle and used a PIT maneuver, causing the SUV to roll over and collide with a cement pole.

Authorities said two of the teenagers in the SUV were wearing ankle monitors and three had active warrants.

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