2 teens from Snow Canyon High killed in separate accidents


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ST. GEORGE — It's the last week of school at Snow Canyon High, but it's a somber time for the students there. Two of their classmates, senior Brooks Johnson and junior Austin McElyea, both died suddenly in separate crashes while enjoying time with their friends.

Late Saturday, Johnson was riding home in a jeep with three friends on a dirt road in Arizona.

"We just hit the side of the bank and we just flipped," said Brayden Oaks, who was also in the jeep at the time of the accident.

Johnson and Oaks were both ejected from the backseat, which had no seat belts. Oaks was badly bruised, but he and his two friends in the front seat survived. The Mojave County Sheriff said alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

"He did his mission here. I feel like it was time to go back," Oaks said. "I know Brooks wants me to be strong, and wants all of us to be strong, because that's just who he was."

It was heartbreaking for Oaks and many others to lose their friend that way.

"Brooks was honestly my hero. I looked up to him," said friend Josh Barnes. "It still does not seem real. It seems like a big nightmare. And I miss him."

Kody Jacobsen, another friend, said the news was tough on the whole school.

"Everybody had their head low walking out of classes," he said.

In a separate crash on Sunday, Austin McElyea died when an ATV ran into his dirt bike in Veyo.

McElyea was heading south on a dirt bike on Spanish Trail Drive, east of state Route 18, about 5:05 p.m. when the accident occurred, according to the Utah Highway Patrol. Makay Stephens, 27, of Veyo, was driving an ATV behind the bike.

McElyea and Stephens had just met and were riding with their mutual friend, according to UHP Sgt. Jake Hicks.

McElyea stopped near 115 North when his friend approached on an ATV. Stephens did not stop and hit the back tire of the boy's bike, the UHP reported. The impact launched the teen off the dirt bike and caused the ATV to roll.

The friend on the other ATV saw the crash and called for help.

Mcelyea was wearing a helmet but died from the impact, according to the UHP.

Responding officers arrested Stephens for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and automobile homicide. Stephens was booked into the Washington County Jail.

Snow Canyon's principal, Warren Brooks said, "It's like losing your own children. This is a very difficult time for all of us." .

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