Teens killed in crash remembered

ALBEMARLE, N.C. -- Family and friends are mourning the loss of three teens who would be seniors next year at Albemarle High School.

They were killed Thursday night in a two-car crash on Highway 138 near Kimrey Road, between Albemarle and Aquadale. Tevis Swaringen, Justin Cowen and Andrico Lilly -- all 17 years old -- died at the scene. Swaringen and Cowen were cousins.

A fourth teenager is fighting for his life at Carolinas Medical Center.

Willie Jones says Swaringen was his best friend. The two played football together and had plans to live together in college.

“I'm gonna miss him very much, he was like my brother," Jones said. "We been through everything together."

Troopers say the teen was speeding, took a curve too fast along Highway 138, ran off the road and corrected, T-boning a truck.

Bishop James Richardson is the pastor at Saints Delight Holiness church, where two of the teens attended Sunday services.

"This is a sad day in Albemarle," Richardson said. "It's a very, very sad day."

Cassandra Christian is a cousin to Cowan and Swaringen.

"It's really a hard thing dealing with two losses at one time, and such young boys that had their whole life ahead of them," Christian said.

The driver of the truck they hit -- 17-year-old Matthew Rinehardt -- was treated and released from the hospital.

There will be a vigil Saturday night at 6 p.m. at the Saints Delight Holiness church in Albemarle.