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3 Clarksburg HS students killed in crash a day before graduation

DAMASCUS, Md. (WUSA9) -- Three teenagers, who police believe were headed home from a pre-graduation party, died in a late-night car crash in Damascus, police said.

DAMASCUS, Md. (WUSA9) -- Three teenagers, who police believe were headed home from a pre-graduation party, died in a late-night car crash in Damascus, police said.

The crash happened around 11:30 p.m. in the 23000 block of Burnt Hill Road in Damascus. Police said the three teenagers were traveling southbound in a pickup truck when the driver lost control around a curve and crashed into several trees.

RELATED: Community mourns loss of 3 high school students #ClarksburgStrong

According to police, 17-year-old Jacob Dennis, 18-year-old Patrick Andrew Shifflett and 17-year-old Cary Greene were all in the truck that was left crumpled on the side of the road.

Sources said the truck hit an oak tree with such force it snapped the front axle and propelled tires in front of the tree.

Two teens were pronounced dead at the scene and the other teen died at the hospital.

<p>Jacob Dennis, Cary Greene and Patrick Shifflett </p>

According to sources, there were no airbags in the 1989 Ford 250 pickup.

The exact cause of the crash is unknown at this time, but a source said speed and inexperience may be factors.

Sources say there was no evidence of alcohol on the scene.

A student at the school told WUSA9's Mikea Turner that the three were juniors. According to Principal Jennifer Webster, Greene was a former student at Damascus High School.

Danielle Greene, the mother of Cary Greene, released the following statement on Wednesday:

"Cary was a great kid. He played football for Clarksburg High School and he was so excited about it. He enjoyed working out. He was just happy. Cary had hopes of going to Towson university. He was caring, generous, and genuinely cared about and loved his friends and family. He was just a sweet boy. He will be missed and in our hearts forever."

Principal Webster released the following statement:

Dear Damascus Community,

We just learned that former Damascus High School junior Cary Green was killed in a car accident last night. Cary attended Damascus during his freshman and sophomore years, and he transferred to Clarksburg HS this year. He was a member of the junior class and former JV football player. We will be reaching out to his family to offer our community’s support.

Please talk with your children about this loss and contact the counseling office or main office if you need our staff’s support today or in the coming days. We will help one another through this tragic event.

I will Share more information about services and support for the family as I have it.

Jenn

Graduation at Clarksburg High School is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday. Due to the graduation, school will not be in session Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the police department encourages teen drivers to be extra careful.

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