N. Andover teen dies, 3 others hurt in Lawrence crash

A North Andover teenager was killed after she was ejected from an SUV that crashed and became engulfed in flames on Interstate 495 on Thursday night, authorities said.

Brenna Caisse, 18, a senior at North Andover High School, was killed in the crash, Chet Jackson, the principal of the school, said in a statement.

Caisse and three other students at the high school were driving together at the time of the crash, Jackson said.

The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. in Lawrence, said Dave Procopio, a spokesperson for the State Police.

Caisse was driving a GMC Envoy SUV at a high rate of speed when she veered into the center lane and made contact with a camper being pulled by a pickup truck. She lost control of the car, which went over the curb and guardrail. It rolled down a steep slope and burst into flames, Procopio said.

A 17-year-old boy was also ejected from the car and suffered minor head injuries. Two girls in the back seat, ages 15 and 16, also suffered minor injuries. The passengers were taken to Lawrence General Hospital, Procopio said.

The driver of the pickup truck had “no apparent serious injuries,” Procopio said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Jackson said that Caisse “had tremendous connections with staff and students at North Andover High School.”

“This is a tragedy for the Caisse family, our school, and the North Andover community,” Jackson said. “Our thoughts are with the Caisse family and the families of the other students involved in the accident.”

Like other public schools in Massachusetts, North Andover schools were closed Friday in observance of Veterans Day, but the high school will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with counseling resources available for staff and students, Jackson said.

Additional counseling will be available at the school on Monday.