2 teens die in Christmas Day crash

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Two Maricopa teenagers were killed in a one-vehicle crash on Dec. 25, according to family members.

The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Papago Road. The three occupants of the vehicle were headed from the Thunderbird Farms area to The Villages at Rancho El Dorado.

Josiah Abbott, 15, and a 14-year-old girl died at the scene. The driver of the vehicle survived and was hospitalized.

Only the driver had identification on him at the scene, Josiah’s sister Shell Abbott said, which made it difficult for law enforcement to immediately notify family.

The three had been on their way to Shell Abbott’s home and were an hour overdue when Shell called her mother, Ranelle Abbott. She began calling and texting Josiah’s phone. At last, she received a response from a Pinal County Sheriff’s officer on Josiah’s phone.

“If people met him they would tell you he had a contagious smile,” Shell Abbott said. She also described her brother as witty, funny, compassionate and stronger than he looked.

The family immediately received an outpouring of sympathy and prayers.