The Howell and Brighton communities have been stunned following the death of two teen girls Tuesday evening after a car crash near Williamston.

Juliana Ward-Brown, a Howell High School student, and Darian Locklear, a Brighton High School student, both 16, were heading west on I-96 when their vehicle went out of control, entered the median and hit a tree near Williamston Road. According to a post on the website meijeraaahockey.com, they were on their way to practice as members of the Meijer 16U Girls hockey team. Tom Berry, Meijer AAA Hockey director, was quoted as saying they were "all devastated - in shock. There is no guidebook to navigate this kind of tragedy. My heart breaks for their families, their teammates and their friends.”

Meijer AAA Hockey will have grief counselors from Ele's Place in Lansing on hand for players, coaches and parents during regularly scheduled practice times today at The Summit in Lansing. Counselors are also expected to be available at both Howell and Brighton high schools. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the Ward-Brown family with funeral expenses. That link is below.

State Police say the crash remains under investigation, but that alcohol and speed do not appear to be factors. Picture courtesy of meijeraaahockey.com (JK)