Deputies: Speed may have been factor in accident that killed teen

CYPRESS, Texas (KTRK) -- A violent crash that claimed the life of a teen near Cypress over the weekend and left another in critical condition happened in front of a family's home as they watched in horror.

Investigators said the wreck happened late Saturday night on Queenslake and Cypress Rosehill in northwest Harris County.

Nigel Sturghill was inside his home when he heard the crash.

"It was loud, you could clearly hear. So, I ran out here and saw a car in my front yard," he said.

He saw two girls inside and both were badly injured.

"There was glass everywhere. There was glass covering (the driver's) face and stuff," he said.

The girls were Cypress Falls High School students.

The driver, Jenna Ellsmore, was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition. The passenger, 16-year-old Lily Haugen, died at the scene.

Harris County deputies said they may have been speeding when they crashed. They went off the road and hit the edge of a driveway before flipping.

Speeding on Queenslake is a constant problem, according to neighbors.

"It sounds like the fast and furious out here every day," Sturghill said.

Records show at least five crashes in this area just in the past year.

"They need to add some more stop signs out here," Sturghill said.

While he hopes authorities find ways to prevent future crashes, Sturghill is also clearly trying to cope with the horrifying scene that played out right in front of him.

"The girl was still breathing, you know. By the time the ambulance and stuff got here she stopped breathing," he said. "I wish I could have helped her. I wanted to rip the doors off and get those girls out."

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