'It's a tough scene': Needham students, staff devastated by deaths of 2 teens

NEEDHAM, Mass. -- The Needham High School community is coming to terms with the tragic deaths of two teenagers over the weekend and grief counselors have been made available as students head back to class for the first time since the incident.

Police told Boston 25 News the two high school juniors were walking near the high school when they were hit by a car at the intersection of Webster and Holland streets.

MORE: Two teenage girls dead following car crash in Needham

Sixteen-year-old Talia Newfield and 17-year-old Adrienne Garrido were both critically injured when they were hit around 5 p.m. Saturday.

Both girls were taken to a hospital where they later died from their injuries.

“It is not a normal school day today, but we are trying to provide as much as we can," Needham Superintendent Daniel Gutekanst said outside the school Monday morning. "It's tough up there right now, there is certainly a full range of emotions the kids are experiencing ... it's a tough scene up there this morning."

The investigation into what caused the vehicle to crash into the girls continues. Officials said one driver involved in the crash stopped, but are looking for more than one driver as part of the investigation.
It's also unknown where the girls were standing when they were hit, and whether they were in a crosswalk.

The Needham community is now focused on grieving and supporting the friends and families of the teens.

“Our community is devastated and truly unable to comprehend what happened to these two exceptional women,” Needham High School Principal Aaron Sicotte said. “So many folks in the community have stepped up today, which is not surprising. This is an amazing community and they wrapped their arms around the children of Needham and the families to provide support.”

Both teens were involved in running, Garrido in cross country and indoor and outdoor track, and Newfield had joined the cross country team this fall.

The school's indoor track team wore black and white ribbons with the girls' initials on them while competing Sunday.

Gutenkanst said the school of around 1,700 students was being supported by the community through counseling and other services.

"I sincerely appreciate their efforts and the love that has been extended by this community," he said. "I've been through this many times and it doesn't get any easier."

As of Sunday, the District Attorney's Office said no charges have been filed related to the crash, but the incident is under investigation.

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