UPDATED Two teens dead in CR 120 wreck, 2 hospitalized

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula and Alexandria Randolph

One Marble Falls High School student and another male from Granite Shoals are in the hospital in critical condition after a car accident on CR120 around 10:30 Thursday night. Two other men were pronounced dead at the scene, said a Texas Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Friday, Feb. 6.

School officials confirmed Friday morning that two are dead.

The four men were driving a 1998 Dodge pickup truck when the driver lost control due to a high rate of speed, said Trooper Robbie Barrera. She did not think that weather was a factor. The truck caught fire during the crash and came to rest against a tree in a pasture, Barrera said. 

The driver, Robert Groth, 17, of Granite Shoals was pronounced dead at the scene. Groth was a MFHS graduate. Passenger Ramie Griffin, Jr., 15, of Sedona, Ariz. also died at the scene.

Peggy Simon, Burnet County Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace, pronounced Groth and Griffin dead. 

Zachary Trueblood, from Granite Shoals but of unknown age, remains in the hospital with serious injuries. Both survivors were wearing their seatbelts. 

MFHS Principal Manny Lunoff visited surviving student Ezekiel Flemmer, 17, of Granite Shoals, in the hospital Friday night, and said the student is "doing remarkably well considering the circumstances." He had many broken bones but was able to tell Lunoff that doctors expected him to recover. "We've had a lot of kids worried today, and we have some great counselors on campus," he said. "The counselors let them know it's ok to grieve." Lunoff added that he is proud of the way staff responded. "You never want to have to deal with unexpected situations like this," he said. Updated information will be posted when available.Burnet County and Texas DPS authorities could not be reached for comment as of midday Friday.

See Tuesday's Highlander for more information.