Deer causes wreck that killed 2 teens

STANLY COUNTY, N.C. -- Students at Stanly South High School are mourning tonight after two classmates were killed in a car accident.Authorities said the teens were in a jeep driven by Jordan Carpenter, 16.Carpenter told troopers he was driving on Cottonville Road in Norwood Wednesday night when a deer jumped in front of him and he swerved to avoid it, losing control and rolling his Jeep.Hunter Mauldin, 16, and Austin Burleson, 15, were pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers said neither was wearing a seat belt.WATCH: Two high-schoolers killed in car accident Carpenter, who was wearing a seatbelt, survived with only minor injuries.On Thursday, grief counselors were on hand at the school and students hung signs in front of the building saying "We miss you, Hunter and Austin. We love you Jordan."Mauldin's father, Leslie, returned to the scene of the accident to try to find something left behind. "This is where my son lost his life right here," he said.Mauldin was a football player on the school's junior varsity team and just turned 16 last month.Leslie Mauldin said he purchased a truck for Hunter just last week and said the three close friends were heading on a hunting trip when the accident happened.Mauldin's older brother Tyler also returned to the scene, along with other students who spray-painted messages on the roadway."It's kind of difficult but you just got to keep your head up," Tyler said.On Thursday the Stanly County District Attorney's Office announced it was reviewing charges against Carpenter, but was unsure if any would actually be filed.Troopers said Carpenter had a provisional license, which means only one other teenager is allowed in his vehicle.Services for Burleson and Mauldin are planned in the new few days at the funeral home in Norwood.

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