Two Florida high school students die in horrific car crash which split their Mercedes in half

  • Brendan Shreve, 17, had lost control of his Mercedes at 5am on Saturday
  • His car crashed into a tree in the median strip so hard vehicle split in two
  • Both Shreve and his passenger Jared Duran, 15, were killed in the crash
  • Tributes to the friends have been left at the scene in Lakewood Ranch

By Hannah Parry For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Two Florida teenagers have died in a horrific smash after their car hit a tree with such force it split in two.

Brendan Shreve, 17, had been driving with his friend Jared Duran, 15, in the early hours of Saturday morning when he lost control of his 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350.

Police say Shreve failed to negotiate a curve and crashed into a tree in the median strip, head on, at around 5am in Lakewood Ranch, Manatee County.

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Brendan Shreve, 17, had been driving with his friend Jared Duran (pictured), 15, in the early hours of Saturday morning when he lost control of his Mercedes

Brendan Shreve, 17, (left) had been driving with his friend Jared Duran, 15, (right) in the early hours of Saturday morning when he lost control of his Mercedes

Police say Shreve failed to negotiate a curve and crashed into a tree in the median strip in Lakewood Ranch, Florida at around 5am - splitting the car in two

Police say Shreve failed to negotiate a curve and crashed into a tree in the median strip in Lakewood Ranch, Florida at around 5am - splitting the car in two

Half the car traveled into the northbound lanes and the other half traveled in the southbound lanes

Half the car traveled into the northbound lanes and the other half traveled in the southbound lanes

The force of the impact was so powerful the car was split in two; half the car traveled into the northbound lanes and the other half traveled in the southbound lanes.

Both driver and passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities believe the pair may have been speeding when the car span off the road and say that test results for alcohol are still pending. 

Locals described the crash site as being a particularly dangerous corner for motorists.

The friends both attended Lakewood Ranch High School, Shreve as a junior and Duran as a sophomore.

Mourners have left flowers and tributes to the teenagers, as well as a soccer ball for former player Shreve

Mourners have left flowers and tributes to the teenagers, as well as a soccer ball for former player Shreve

An emotional mourner is comforted by her friends at the memorial to Brendan Shreve, 17, and Jared Duran, 15

An emotional mourner is comforted by her friends at the memorial to Brendan Shreve, 17, and Jared Duran, 15

Crowds have gathered at the tree, which has the acronym RIP carved into the wood, to pay tribute to the teens

Crowds have gathered at the tree, which has the acronym RIP carved into the wood, to pay tribute to the teens

Family and school friends have gathered at the scene to lay flowers and pay tribute to the popular teenagers. A soccer ball was also left at the memorial for sports fan Shreve, a former member of the school's soccer team.

'We would walk together sometimes because they are my neighbors and I'm just not going to be able to walk with them anymore. I'm not going to be able to see them,' friend Bryce Nicholas told Fox 13 News.

'It was horrible,' added Hunter Bradley, who knew both Shreve and Duran through his brother. 'I saw the pictures online it didn't look like a car. I really hope it was instant for them as bad as that sounds,' he told Fox. 

A crisis response team and counselors are being made available at Lakewood Ranch High School tomorrow for students. 

The devastated families of the teenagers are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their sons.

Shreve, pictured with his mother Crystal, was a popular student at Lakewood Ranch High School

Shreve, pictured with his mother Crystal, was a popular student at Lakewood Ranch High School

The teenagers' families (Shreve wis pictured with his sister Tayler) are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their sons

The teenagers' families (Shreve wis pictured with his sister Tayler) are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their sons

Tributes have also been flooding in for the two friends online.

Domingo Nunez said: 'Jared Duran was the coolest friend I had. RIP Jared.'

Sarah tweeted: 'RIP Brendan Shreve & Jared Duran. I know you both will be greatly missed. This isn't easy for anybody. Praying for the friends & family.'

Matthew Belisario wrote: 'Jared Duran was probably the coolest guy I ever met, and Brendan Shreve was the guy who taught me his ways. Nothing is the same now. Rip.'

Gabby Sullivan added: 'Just lost one of my best friends since middle school. Can't believe your gone rip Brendan Shreve.'

The force of the impact was so powerful the Mercedes-Benz C350 was ripped in two (stock picture)

The force of the impact was so powerful the Mercedes-Benz C350 was ripped in two (stock picture)

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