Two die in Smith River crash

GASQUET (KIEM)- Two Josephine County teenagers are dead after the car they were in went off the roadway and into the Smith River.

The California Highway Patrol said just before 11:30 Thursday morning, a Volkswagen Jetta was traveling southbound on highway 199 near Gasquet in Del Norte County.

The driver, a 17 year-old Casey Wagoner, lost control and the car went off the roadway, down an embankment striking a tree and then plunged into the river. 

Both Wagoner and a female passenger, 19 year-old Madrone Jackson were found dead in the car.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.