Peachtree City community mourns teens killed in Saturday night wreck

Peachtree City community mourns for teen victims of fatal car wreck

The mother of one of the victims said for now people should not focus so much on what happened, but to continue to remember and honor her late son and his friend.

PEACTHREE CITY, Ga. - Police have identified two teens killed during a car crash Saturday evening in Peachtree City.

The driver has been identified as 19-year-old Kevin Allen and the passenger as 16-year old Brighton Garretson. Allen is a graduate of Starr's Mill High School, while Garretson was a Starr's Mill 10th-grader.

Brighton Garretson’s family told FOX 5 Atlanta his travel soccer team is planning to honor him. In a post on a Peachtree City Facebook page his mother Susan Garretson paid tribute to her son saying:

"Brighton was such a wonderful person and we are in complete and utter agony. He was an honor student at Starr’s Mill High School, played soccer with the Lazars and was the kindest human being you could have ever met."

Susan Garretson went on to say that she and her family appreciate the community’s love and support. She also said that for now, people should not focus so much on what happened, but to continue to remember and honor her son Brighton and his friend Kevin.

Friends and family established GoFundMe pages for Garretson and Allen to cover their funeral expenses.

Two teenagers killed in Peachtree City car crash

When officers arrived at the scene of the fatal crash, at least one of the vehicles was engulfed in flames.

FOX 5 talked to community members who are left in shock by the crash.

"The schools are family. The community is family. So, it's like losing one of your own," said Angie Shepherd, who lives in Peachtree City.

Shepherd said seeing the crash site where the two teenagers were killed is sobering and heartbreaking. A small memorial now sits at the scene of the crash which is surrounded by charred trees, debris, and rubble.

"It's just sobering. It's gripping. Just, you know, yesterday we were all just going about our business," said Shepherd.

"I think they'll surround them. I think the people at the school will surround them. The students will surround them. The neighbors are all closely knit, so neighbors will surround them," said Shepherd.

On Sunday, dozens of students and friends stopped by the growing memorial to pay their respects and leave flowers.

"My hearts go out to the families to everybody involved in it," said Shepherd.

Peachtree City car wreck investigation

Peachtree City Police and Fire Rescue responded to the deadly crash on Saturday.

"When officers arrived on scene, they saw there was a fully engulfed vehicle and a second vehicle that was starting to catch fire," said Peachtree City Police Officer Donte Phillips.

Officer Phillips told FOX 5 the 19-year-old driver, identified as Allen, lost control of his vehicle hitting an SUV. The 19-year-old and his 16-year-old passenger, identified as Garretson, were both killed before police could attempt to rescue efforts.

Police say the driver of the SUV was able to get himself out of his car along with his two children. That driver sustained non-life-threatening injures, police said.

Officials said speed appeared to factor into the accident.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Police initially provide the incorrect age for one of the victims. The story has been updated to reflect the correct ages.