Clackamas County, OR : West Linn teen dies following Petes Mountain crash Sunday afternoon on June 8, 2014

An 18-year-old West Linn High School graduate died and a current student was critically injured when their car crashed into a power pole in Clackamas County Sunday afternoon.

Hayden James Soyk died at the scene.

Soyk's girlfriend, Madison Higgins, 17, was a passenger in the car. She was taken by LifeFlight helicopter to ahospital. She is in critical condition.

Firefighters worked for hours to get the two out of the car after the crash, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said. Witnesses called 911 to report the vehicle was sheared in half when it hit the power pole.

The crash happened on Southwest Petes Mountain Road north of Southwest Hoffman Road just after 5:15 p.m. Sunday.

Firefighters were able to get Soyk and Higgins out with the assistance of crews from Wilsonville and West Linn. Petes Mountain Road was closed for around six hours as firefighters worked to clear the road.

The sheriff's office said witness statements and evidence at the scene indicated that excessive speed was the main factor in the crash.

West Linn High School Principal Lou Bailey said the district had several "safe rooms" to support students and staff at school on Monday.

Soyk graduated from West Linn High School in 2013, Bailey said in a statement. Higgins is currently a junior at the school.

A candlelight vigil is planned Monday night at 6 on the West Linn High School football field.

Source :
West Linn HS graduate killed, student critically hurt in Clackamas Co. crash