Uncontrollable grief spread through Maple Ridge, B.C. after two teens died in a head-on crash early Sunday morning.

Ridge Meadows RCMP say the two-vehicle collision happened around 2:25 a.m. on Dewdney Trunk Road and Dunbar Street when a van carrying three young men crashed into a car carrying three young women.

Police reported a young man who was driving the van died as well as a young woman who was a passenger in the car. Four other youths were taken to hospital where they remain in serious condition.

People in the local community have identified the deceased as 17-year-old Dawson Spenser and 18-year-old Crystal Weaver.

Maple Ridge resident Justin Birch said the crash sounded like a big explosion and tried to help its victims.

"The sound was just incredible; I'll never forget that sound of the metal," he told CTV News.

"I ran up to the van because I could hear someone screaming, ‘Help, help, help!'" he said.

Firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to pry one young woman out of the car.

RCMP Sgt. Parm Prihar shared in the sense of loss many other Maple Ridge residents are experiencing.

"It's a very sad day for our community here to lose two of our young people in one day, especially because it was preventable," Prihar said.

Investigators say the driver of one of the vehicles lost control and that speed was likely a factor. They also say they don't know if the driver of the van had a permanent licence.

"At this point, it's too early to say whether alcohol was a factor or not," he added.

Area residents told CTV News speed is a concern on the road they've dubbed as the ‘"Dewdney Trunk Speedway."

Police will be working with the school district to make sure counselling is available.

With files from CTV British Columbia's Bhinder Sajan