SYDNEY, N.S. - Dozens gathered at a memorial on Kings Road in Sydney on Sunday to mourn the loss of two local teenagers.
Fergus Tyler MacKinnon, 17, and Matthew Gerard Fitzgerald, 15, were both pronounced dead at the scene of a car accident, after the vehicle they were driving struck two utility poles and a lamp post.
Sgt. Robert Walsh said the vehicle involved in the collision was stolen from a nearby driveway just moments before it crashed, adding shock to a community already grieving the loss of two young lives.
"It doesn't diminish the fact that two young guys lost their lives and it's a horrible tragedy, stolen or not," said area resident Greg MacLeod.
Police say it's important to figure out the circumstances that led up to the collision to give both families closure.
Staff Sgt. Robert Walsh said they ruled out one scenario immediately.
"To be absolutely clear, police were not involved in any chase or pursuit involving this vehicle, prior to this collision."
Both teens were students at Sydney Academy. Emotional support teams will be available for staff and students on Monday.
Ashley Leblanc dated one of the teens. She shares fond memories of her former boyfriend Fergus MacKinnon.
"He loved adventure and he did anything to make anybody laugh. He loved when people were having a good time around him," said Leblanc. "It's been hard, because you know, when you don't get that chance to say goodbye, it's really hard."
The vehicle remains in police impound, as investigators try to determine if mechanical failure, driver inexperience, or some other factor, combined with speed, led to the tragedy.
With files from CTV's Dan MacIntosh.
