Teen cousins killed in rollover crash were ejected from SUV, Utah cops say

Two teenagers were killed and three more were injured after they were ejected from an SUV in a rollover crash, Utah cops say.

The two fatal victims — 17-year-old Gage Manning and 18-year-old River Manning — are cousins, according to a GoFundMe.

A 1997 Toyota 4Runner they were traveling in on Friday, April 1, around 10:30 p.m. crashed after the driver over-corrected when they drifted between the shoulders on the road, according to the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office. The 4Runner rolled over at least two times and landed on the driver’s side.

All five people inside the SUV were not wearing seatbelts and were thrown from the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said. River was found dead when first responders arrived, and Gage was transported to a local hospital where he died, according to the sheriff.

The other three people inside the vehicle — a 19-year-old woman, 15-year-old girl and 19-year-old man — suffered serious injuries but are expected to be OK, the sheriff’s office said.

Sheriff’s officials are investigating if alcohol consumption or vehicle speed contributed to the crash.

A GoFundMe states River was about to graduate from Clearfield High School and had “just landed his dream job as a welder.” His passions included rodeo, hunting, dirt bike riding and camping.

“River made friends wherever he went. It was just something about his smile and funny personality that made everyone gravitate towards him,” the GoFundMe states.

Gage was described by his sister-in-law as “the light in the room and was always so happy.” He was a senior at Syracuse High School, KUTV reported.

“Everyone he met immediately loved and cherished him,” according to a GoFundMe. “He was so full of life and was so caring towards others. Even if he didn’t know you, he’d give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.”

One family member said Gage and River were among the “most down-to-earth people” she knew.

“Both boys had the ability to make anyone and everyone laugh, and both boys NEVER once failed to amaze me,” Whitney Manning said on Facebook. “I’m so beyond proud of you too.”

Box Elder County is about 150 miles northwest of Salt Lake City.