17-year-old girl killed in Malden crash; speed and weather eyed as factors

By Melissa M. Werthmann, Globe Correspondent

A 17-year-old girl was killed after the car she was driving hit a curb, became airborne, crashed into a signpost, and burst into flames early this morning, Malden police said.

The girl was driving with a 19-year-old female passenger in the car, said Malden Police Detective Ted Meroski.

The crash happened at the corner of Medford and John streets just before 3:30 a.m., Meroski said.

“It appears that she ... hit the opposing curb, which set the motor vehicle in flight,” he said.

“Upon hitting the sign post, the car spun counter-clockwise, so that it was facing eastbound, and became engulfed in flames,” Meroski said.

Police believe that high speed and treacherous weather contributed to the crash, he said.

According to the National Weather Service, there was misty rain and fog over Malden between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. today.

Passersby called 911 when they discovered the crash, Meroski said.

The passenger suffered serious burns and was taken by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital, he said.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have not released the names of the two crash victims.

Malden detectives do not believe that drugs or alcohol were involved.