Two Lakewood High School teens were killed in a fatal crash on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard early Saturday.
Florida Highway Patrol said the teens were riding in a Mercedes around 5 a.m. on Lakewood Ranch near Clubhouse Drive.
Troopers say the driver, 17-year-old Brendan Shreve, lost control on a curve. The vehicle went over the median and struck a tree there. The rear of the vehicle separated from the car on impact.
Shreve died, as did 15-year-old Jared Duran.
Troopers believe speed was a factor in the crash.
Classmates say the teens were best friends and it was always a party when they were around. Jared was a sophomore at LRHS. Brendan was a junior and a former member of the school's soccer team.
As friends gathered around the site of the crash, leaving pictures and flowers, they remembered the teens' incredible spirit and joy of life. It's that spirit they're clinging to for support now.