Bear River High School and the South County community are mourning the loss of two 18 year-olds, killed yesterday in a traffic collision on Highway 49. The Placer County Coroner’s office has released the names of the victims. The driver was Jude Douden of Auburn, and his passenger was Joseph Rantz of Grass Valley–both 18 years old. Auburn California Highway Patrol Officer Dave Martinez says the two were heading southbound on Highway 49 near Joeger Road…
Douden was ejected. The roadway was closed for several hours. Martinez says it’s a painful lesson–the crash could have been avoided if they weren’t driving too fast for the rainy conditions…
The two were seniors at Bear River. Grief counselors are on campus today.
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