Five Teens Die After Car Plunges Off Colorado Cliff

Five 17-year-old boys died after their car left Lookout Lane and crashed down a steep hillside in Grand Junction, Colorado, late Saturday. First responders found the vehicle Sunday morning and pronounced all five dead at the scene.

• 3 of the 5 boys were wearing seatbelts, including the driver and front passenger.
• 2 occupants not wearing seatbelts were ejected from the vehicle.
• Speed is being examined as a factor, police said; the investigation continues.
• Grand Junction is roughly 245 miles west of Denver.

Why it matters: All five boys were Grand Junction residents. Mesa County public schools reopened Tuesday, and the district said it would provide support resources following the crash.

• The coroner's office declined to release the names of the victims, citing a policy against identifying minors.

How 10 sources split on this story

Where they split: Center and left outlets relied on official statements; the Daily Mail additionally reported names and family accounts shared publicly on social media.

What’s next: Police say complex crash cases take considerable time to investigate fully.

• What specifically caused the vehicle to veer off Lookout Lane remains undetermined.
• Whether any additional charges or findings will result from the investigation is not yet known.