1 teen dead, several others injured in Mashpee crash

One of the seven teenagers involved in a crash in Mashpee, Massachusetts, Tuesday morning has died, according to authorities.

The single-car crash happened around 2:06 a.m. on Carleton Drive and Swain Circle, the Mashpee Police Department said.

A Toyota Rav 4 was traveling northbound on Carleton Drive, when the driver lost control of the vehicle, left the road and hit a tree south of Swain Circle, police said.

"I knew they hit a tree," said Charles Dedecko, who lives nearby. "I could just tell, the way it sounded."

Police say the vehicle was found heavily damaged.

"They was young kids crawling out of the car, and walking up and down the street, and they didn't know what was going on," Dedecko said.

The seven teenagers in the vehicle were between the ages of 15 and 17 and from Mashpee and Falmouth, according to police.

Six of the seven teens were taken to the hospital with what appeared to be life-threatening injuries, police said.

One of the teens transported — identified as a 17-year-old from Mashpee — died.

"It is with great sadness that I share the news that there was a serious car accident in Mashpee early this morning involving several MMHS students," Assistant Superintendent Hope Hanscom of Mashpee Public Schools said in a letter to the school community.

"Our counseling team is available in the MMHS Library today until 3 PM to provide students, staff, and families with support," the letter continued. "We will share more information as it becomes available, but for now, our prayers are with everyone involved and with the Mashpee community as a whole."

The crash remains under investigation.