Four teens hurt in Mahoning Township car crash

Officials in Carbon County say four teenagers were sent to the hospital after crashing their car.

It happened Sunday around 12:30 p.m. on Orioles Drive in Mahoning Township.

Police said the teen who was driving -- 18-year-old Ariel Shiffert of Lehighton -- was driving at a high rate of speed, lost control and crashed into a tree.

Three passengers in the car -- ages 15, 16 and 17 -- were injured. Two sustained moderate to major injuries, while the third sustained minor to moderate injuries.

Two were taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. Shiffert and a third passenger were taken to Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital in Lehighton.

Police said none of the occumpants used their seat belts, and the front airbags did activate.

Charges against Shiffert are pending completion of the investigation.

There's no word on the extent of their injuries.