Newberry, Florida, was enveloped in mourning this week as grief counselors attended to the emotional needs of students at Newberry High School. The somber atmosphere followed a devastating crash in Bradford County, where several teenagers lost their lives during a pursuit involving state troopers.

City officials confirmed the tragic outcome, revealing that all four teenagers involved, aged between 14 and 16, perished in the wreck near Waldo last Saturday. Two succumbed to their injuries at the scene, while the other two passed away in the hospital in the days that followed. Heartbreakingly, it was disclosed that two of the deceased teenagers were enrolled at Newberry High School.

The pursuit began with a stolen SUV from Gainesville, detected hours later by a license plate reader. Bradford County Sheriff’s Office deputies, upon confirming the vehicle's status, initiated the pursuit, sensing multiple occupants inside.

Despite reaching speeds of 111 mph, deputies were hindered by vehicle limitations, prompting them to relent as a Florida Highway Patrol trooper took over. The trooper's intervention, involving a ramming maneuver, tragically led to the SUV colliding with a cement pole, sealing the fate of the teenagers onboard.

Adding to the tragedy, it was revealed that two of the teenagers wore ankle monitors, and three had active warrants, underscoring the complexities of the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash."