Vigil tonight for two U-High teens killed in crash

University High School in Spokane Valley will hold a candlelight vigil tonight for two of its students who died Saturday night in a car wreck on South Bates Road near East Ponderosa Drive. The sophomore girls, ages 15 and 16, were passengers in an Infiniti sedan driven by a third student, a 16-year-old male who is hospitalized in critical condition. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has not released their names. The driver was northbound on Bates when he lost control and hit a curb on the east side of the road about 9 p.m., sheriff’s Deputy Craig Chamberlin said today. The car was propelled up and struck a tree on the passenger side, Chamberlin said. Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in the crash, but speed does appear to have contributed to it, Chamberlin said. The posted speed on Bates is 25 mph. All three students were wearing seat belts. The vigil, organized by U-High students, will begin at 7:30 p.m. on the school’s football field. A post today on the school’s Facebook page said, “Our hearts are broken. Our love & support goes out to the family, friends, students, staff & community.” School counselors, administrators and the Central Valley School District support team will be on hand tonight and will be available Monday to help grieving students, according to the Facebook post.