The driver was identified as 16-year-old Malik Smith, Latimer said, while Anthony Billips Jr., 17, Zahnyiah Cross, 12, Shawnell Cross, 11, and Andrew Billips, 8, were also identified as those killed in the crash.
FIVE KIDS KILLED IN FIERY NY CRASH WITH 16-YEAR-OLD DRIVER BEHIND THE WHEEL
The crash that killed five occurred overnight Sunday on the Hutchinson River Parkway. (iStock)
Abraham Billips, 9, was able to escape the crash and was treated at a local hospital with what Latimer described as non-life threatening injuries.
The crash occurred overnight Sunday on the Hutchinson River Parkway, with Latimer saying the Nissan Rogue being driven by Smith veered off the road and hit a boulder and then ran into a tree before being engulfed in flames.
A police officer who was the first responder to the scene was unsuccessful in extinguishing the blaze with a fire extinguisher, Latimer said, noting that firefighters responding soon after were able to gain control of the blaze.
VEHICLE CRASH ON INTERSTATE 90 IN WASHINGTON KILLS 3
Abraham Billips, the 9-year-old survivor of the crash, was riding in a back cargo area of the SUV and was able to escape through a back broken window to safety. The other five passengers died of blunt force trauma as a result of impact with the boulder and tree, Latimer said.
The investigation into how Smith was able to gain access to the vehicle is still ongoing, while a toxicology report has been ordered to determine whether drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash.
"There are no indications of damage on the vehicle that would have indicated there was a second vehicle involved. There's also no corresponding tire marks that would have been made had the vehicle been struck or forced off the roadway by some other vehicle," Latimer said. "The evidences at the scene indicates… that the operator was either distracted or fell asleep."