2 teens killed, 3 injured in Cherokee County; one victim turned 18 on day of crash

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - Two teenagers lost their lives in a tragic crash on Tuesday night in Cherokee County.

According to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash on Towne Lake Parkway near Towne Lake Hills East at 8:17 p.m. on Jan. 9.

Upon arrival, they discovered that a Mazda 6 carrying five occupants had veered off the road and collided with a tree in the center median.

The sheriff's office says that speed appears to have been a contributing factor to the crash.

A 17-year-old passenger from Marietta was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other four occupants were transported to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital.

An 18-year-old passenger from Woodstock passed away at the hospital, and a 17-year-old passenger from Marietta sustained serious injuries. The 17-year-old driver from Smyrna and an 18-year-old passenger from Tulsa, Oklahoma, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

After the crash, multiple rumors began circulating online about the identities of those killed in the crash. 

According to a letter sent by the principal of Etowah High School, two young men were killed in the crash. One of those killed was a former student at the school, according to Principal Robert Horn. Read the letter below:

Dear Etowah Families,

As you may know, a tragic car crash occurred in our community last night.  Numerous rumors are circulating in the community, but we have received accurate information from the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office that we can share with you.  Two young men passed away in the crash, and three were injured.  None were current Etowah students.  One of the young men who passed away, whose name we cannot disclose as family notifications are ongoing, was a former student who last attended Etowah in 2022.  We know that some of our students knew him, and our school district’s crisis team and our school counselors are here if they need to talk about this loss.  If your child is struggling with this loss, please let us know so our counselors know to reach out.

Thank you,
Robert Horn
Principal
Etowah High School

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office identified the deceased on Wednesday morning as 17-year-old Gabriel Escandon from Marietta and 18-year-old Esteban Cortez-Rendon from Woodstock. It was previously reported that Cortez-Rendon was 17, but the sheriff's office confirmed that he turned 18 on Tuesday, 

The sheriff's office says no other names will be released at this time. 

The Cobb County School District issued the following statement Wednesday afternoon:

"Our hearts are broken today following the news that Cobb students were involved in a tragic car accident. Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and entire school community of the student who passed away and the students who are being cared for in the hospital. Additional school counselors are on site to support students and staff. The families ask that the media give them, and our schools, time to grieve. No further details are currently available, please continue to direct questions to the Communications Department."

The NASA Tophat recreational soccer league has also issued a statement. It appears that both of the deceased played for the club for several years.

"The entire Nasatophat family is in shock regarding the terrible car accident that took the lives of Gabriel Escandon and Esteban Cortez-Rendon. Gabriel and Esteban played for the club for years and will be greatly missed. Prayers go out to the Escandons, the Cortez-Rendons who lost sons in this accident. We are also praying for the other kids that were injured in the accident."

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