High school students were killed by a 'drunk' driver

 Posted on May 3, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  825 words  |  Aldo Pusey

Two high school students were killed in a car crash Sunday morning when their vehicle was struck by an alleged drunk driver. 

Tyler Nielson, Justin Gardner and Dawson Fay were on their way to Pismo Beach for spring break when Sabrina Distura, 21, allegedly crossed over the center median and hit their car head-on. 

Nielson died at the scene and Gardner was rushed to the Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, where he died a short time later, according to The Sacramento Bee. 

Fay, who was in the car with Gardner and Nielson, suffered a broken hip and other injuries, but he's expected to recover. 

Justin Gardner (pictured) was killed along with his best friend while they were on their way to Pismo Beach in California for spring break when alleged drunk driver Sabrina Distura, 21, hit their car head-on

Justin Gardner (pictured) was killed along with his best friend while they were on their way to Pismo Beach in California for spring break when alleged drunk driver Sabrina Distura, 21, hit their car head-on

Tyler Nielson Nielson (right) died at the scene

Tyler Nielson (left and right) died at the scene and Gardner was rushed to the Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, where he died a short time later

Dawson Fay (right, pictured with his brother), who was in the car with Gardner and Nielson, suffered a broken hip and other injuries, but he's expected to recover

Dawson Fay (right, pictured with his brother), who was in the car with Gardner and Nielson, suffered a broken hip and other injuries, but he's expected to recover

Authorities said Distura 'lost control, went into the center divide and went head-on with the other vehicle'. Pictured is vehicle the teens were driving

Authorities said Distura 'lost control, went into the center divide and went head-on with the other vehicle'. Pictured is vehicle the teens were driving

Nielson was a senior and Gardner was a sophomore at Nevada Union High School. Fay is a junior at the school as well. Nielson was just months away from graduation. 

Principal Kelly Rhoden sent an email to parents, students and staff notifying them of the tragedy. 

'This is a huge loss to our Miner family. Let us all keep the families in our hearts and thoughts as they deal with this horrific loss. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you,' she said in the email. 

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Rhoden also said a support group of counselors has been put together to help faculty and students deal with the losses.  

'We do have staff on hand to open the Ali gym and our Crisis Team made up of school counselors and community counselors will be on site for our students, staff, and school community that need help in processing this tragedy,' Rhoden said.  

Nielson, Gardner and Fay were teammates on Nevada Union's varsity football team. 

Nielson, Gardner (right, No. 10) and Fay (center, No. 3) were teammates on Nevada Union's varsity football team

Nielson, Gardner (right, No. 10) and Fay (center, No. 3) were teammates on Nevada Union's varsity football team

According to Sierra College, Nielson (pictured with his mother Franca Nielson) had committed to play for their team at the start of the season

According to Sierra College, Nielson (pictured with his mother Franca Nielson) had committed to play for their team at the start of the season

'Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Nevada Union Miner and Future Wolverine Tyler Nielson #HeavyHearts #5,' Sierra College wrote in the caption of this photo on Twitter Monday evening 

'Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Nevada Union Miner and Future Wolverine Tyler Nielson #HeavyHearts #5,' Sierra College wrote in the caption of this photo on Twitter Monday evening 

'Miners football, Nevada County, and the world lost 2 good ones today. Senior Tyler Nielson and sophomore Justin Gardner lost their lives in a tragic accident on their way to Pismo Beach for spring break,' Nevada Union's football team tweeted Monday night. 

'Their car was struck by a drunk driver. We'll need everyone's magic tonight,' the team added. 

According to Sierra College, Nielson had committed to play for their team at the start of the season. 

'Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Nevada Union Miner and Future Wolverine Tyler Nielson #HeavyHearts #5,' Sierra College tweeted on Monday. 

Gardner also played basketball for their high school and Nielson played baseball.

Tyler's mother, Franca Nielson said her son and had played football with Gardner since he was seven years old. She also said the Fay family were like Tyler's second family.  

'He was just a young soul. Just happy, always smiling. He was an athlete, knew everybody at Nevada Union,' Franca told the Sacramento Bee. 

Tyler's mother, Franca Nielson said her son and had played football with Gardner since he was seven years old. She also said the Fay family were Tyler's second family. From l-r is Dawson's mother, Stacy Fay, Dawson, Tyler, Dawson's brother Hayden and Tyler's mother Franca 

Tyler's mother, Franca Nielson said her son and had played football with Gardner since he was seven years old. She also said the Fay family were Tyler's second family. From l-r is Dawson's mother, Stacy Fay, Dawson, Tyler, Dawson's brother Hayden and Tyler's mother Franca 

Distura was driving the 2015 Honda (pictured) that hit the boys' car, according to the California Highway Patrol. She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter

Distura was driving the 2015 Honda (pictured) that hit the boys' car, according to the California Highway Patrol. She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter

Los Banos public information officer Shannon Stiers told The Union that Distura 'lost control, went into the center divide and went head-on with the other vehicle'. 

Distura was driving the 2015 Honda that hit the boys' car, according to the California Highway Patrol. 

She was then transported to an area hospital after suffering minor injuries.

Distura was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.

According to authorities, she will face at least one charge of felony DUI. Officials said they are examining additional charges, including vehicular homicide.

Police said everyone involved in the accident were wearing seat belts.

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