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15 and 16-year-old girls identified as victims in deadly UTV crash in north Phoenix desert area

Police said the UTV burst into flames after it crashed near 64th Street and Pinnacle Peak Road.

PHOENIX — Two teenage girls were killed following a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) crash in the desert on Thursday, according to authorities.

The Phoenix Police Department said the crash happened just after 2 p.m. in a desert area of north Phoenix near 64th Street and Pinnacle Peak Road.

Police responded to the crash and found the UTV upside down. 

Both teens were pronounced dead on scene by the Phoenix Fire Department. They've been identified as 15-year-old Madeline Taylor Cross and 16-year-old Rylan Lee Poggi.

"It just seems like two friends were out trying to have a good time and enjoy time together and a terrible tragedy resulted," Sgt. Rob Scherer told 12News. 

The crash is being investigated by the Phoenix Police Vehicle Crimes Unit. It's still unclear what caused the UTV to roll over, but 12News learned the vehicle burst into flames after it crashed.

Scherer said the teens were not ejected from the unit. 

12News spoke briefly over the phone with Poggi's mother. She was understandably heartbroken and said she couldn't believe it.

*Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story identified one of the teens with an incorrect name that was initially given by police.*

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