ST. PAUL, Minn. - A teenage girl has died and, the driver of the SUV that struck her while she was sitting outside of Harding High School with a friend is in police custody, according to St. Paul police.
Clarisse Grime, 16, and Eduardo Vasquez-Torres, 17, were each struck by the SUV just after 1 p.m. on Thursday. Grime's body was found at the bottom of a nearby embankment when emergency crews arrived, police said.
Vasquez-Torres was conscious at that time. He was taken to Regions Hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials said the driver, a 50-year-old man, was traveling on 3rd Street and taking a left onto Hazelwood Street when he lost control of his SUV, struck a fire hydrant and rolled the vehicle into a grassy area near the school where the two teens were sitting.
Authorities said they believe the 50-year-old man was speeding causing him to lose control. The man is being held on suspicion of criminal vehicle operation, police said.
Ashley Moore lives near the area. She came out to look after hearing a loud crash. She said she went over to the scene where she saw the boy crying hysterically. She tried to help but could not.
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