Two New Jersey teens were killed in a crash during a police pursuit in upstate New York over the weekend, authorities said. 

Driver Christian A. Enrico, 17, and passenger Liam C. Pakonis, 16, both of Wayne, were heading north on State Route 8 in the rural Town of Guilford when a Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted a traffic stop, according to New York State Police. 

But Enrico kept driving, continuing into the small Otsego County Town of Butternuts before veering off the road and slamming into several trees. 

Both Enrico and Pakonis – who were best friends and attended Wayne Hills High School, according to local reports – were pronounced dead at the scene. 

Enrico was a junior at the school and “avid enthusiast of the art of Jiu Jitsu,” his obituary said. 

“He enjoyed outdoor activities, cars, and gaming,” the memorial page said. “Christian was a kind and loving son who always made his parents proud.” 

His family told CBS New York that the boys were kicking off their spring break and driving upstate to a cabin when they crashed on a sharp turn on a wet and foggy road. 

Enrico’s brother Aaron Hensz told the network he was supposed to meet Christian to spend the weekend fishing and off-roading. 

“He was calling me, telling me ‘I’m on my way up, but I missed the turn, so I’ll be a little late,’” Hensz said. “Told me he’s like a half hour late. He just never showed up.”

“He had such a great, great heart that he would have changed the world,” Hensz added.

“He was destined to do big things,” his sister, Heather Enrico, told WCBS.

Pakonis was on the swim team and, like Enrico, had a love for automobiles, according to the report. 

Police did not reveal the reason for the traffic stop. 

The Office of the New York State Attorney General is handling the investigation, authorities said. 

The teens’ New Jersey school district is offering grief counseling through Wednesday, according to NJ.com.