Deputies say they believe alcohol was a factor in a crash early Wednesday morning that sent seven teens to the hospital.

At around 1:25 a.m., on October 7, deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of an injury accident on South Cut Creek Road, about ten miles east of Wellfleet.  It was reported that a vehicle had left the roadway and there were up to seven people injured.

Deputies, along with deputies from the Frontier County Sheriff’s Office, arrived on the scene and found the vehicle in a deep ravine.

The injured teens were identified as 19-year-old Ty Sutphen, of Lakeside, 19-year-old Andrea Burkhardt, of Winnetoon, 18-year-old Wyatt Naughtin, of Bartlett, 19-year-old Peyden Prince, of Drummond, Montana, 19-year-old Madison St. John, of Hastings, 18-year-old Tyler Varney, of Mason and 18-year-old Rachel Dather, of Verdigre.

Authorities say Sutphen was driving a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 southbound on Cut Creek Road at a high rate of speed, and was unable to negotiate a curve, sending the truck careening into the eight to ten foot deep ravine.

The teens reportedly all sustained serious injuries and were transported to Great Plains Health.  Dather was transported by helicopter to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

Investigators say they believe alcohol did play a factor in the crash and say seatbelts were not in use.

The teens’ conditions at this time are unknown.  The crash remains under investigation.