Forsyth teens killed in Taney County crash

Two recent Forsyth High School graduates were killed early Wednesday when the vehicle they were in went off the roadway and landed, upside down, in Swan Creek.

The exact time of the accident is not known.

Skyler J. Hinojosa, 19, and Kristina M. Russell, 18, both of Forsyth, were located early Wednesday inside the vehicle. They were pronounced dead by Taney County Coroner Kevin Tweety a short time later.

According to a report by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Hinojosa was driving a 2004 Chrysler Sebring south on Taneyville Road, one mile east of Forsyth, when the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve.

The vehicle traveled off the right side of the road, struck several trees and traveled off a rock bluff into Swan Creek. The patrol reported both teens were wearing seatbelts.

Patrol Sgt. Jason Pace said troopers are still looking into what happened.

"It does not appear that there is another vehicle involved or anything suspicious," he said.

Forsyth Superintendent Jeff Mingus said the school district was notified Wednesday that two students from the Class of 2015 "lost their lives in a car accident."

"We are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of our former students. Our thoughts go out to their families," said Mingus, in the statement. "We will have additional counselors on site tomorrow morning to support our students as they grieve through this loss."

​The 1,200-student district is located just outside Branson in Taney County.

Mingus said Russell was a member of the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp or JROTC.

"Both seemed to be kids who enjoyed spending time with friends and were happy," he said.