Southern Pines teen killed, two others injured in crash early Saturday

A16-year-old driver died and his two passengers were injured early Saturday when their car ran off the road and struck a tree.

The driver, John David Dela Cruz Santos, and the two others in the car were on the way home from a party where alcohol was served, the passengers told members of the State Highway Patrol. The two survivors told troopers they saw Dela Cruz drinking at the party.

At the time of the crash, just after 2:30 a.m., the road was wet and a light mist was falling, troopers said. They believe the weather, alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.

Troopers said Dela Cruz ran off Roseland Road near the intersection with Batchelor Farm Road in Aberdeen and hit a tree. He died at the scene.

Dela Cruz of Dean Avenue in Southern Pines, was a student at Pinecrest High School.

Troopers did not release the names of the others in the car, but said both were also teenagers.