SHELBURNE, N.H. – Three Maine teens died Saturday night when the car they were in flipped over a snowbank and landed in a front yard off Route 2.

The driver lost control of his speeding Mitsubishi, Sgt. Dennis Wade of the New Hampshire State Police said on Sunday night.

Jonathan Tyler 18, of Gilead, his passenger Keith Tedford, 17, also of Gilead, and Cody Smith, 15, of Bethel died instantly, Wade said.

The 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse driven and owned by Tyler spun out of control, crossed the westbound lane and hit a snowbank approximately 10 feet high. The Eclipse spun around nearly 180 degrees, flipped over the snowbank and then dropped another 12 to 14 feet to the ground.

It rolled at least once more before coming to rest upright, Wade said.

Wade said none of the teens was wearing a seat belt.

“We believe it was the impact itself that caused the fatalities,” Wade said.

Three people in another vehicle witnessed the crash, and the owners of the home where the vehicle came to rest heard it.

“It’s certainly a tragedy,” Wade said. “With three kids that age, it’s a shame.”

By law, a toxicology test was done, he said, with results expected in about a week, Wade said. He said he didn’t know if alcohol was a factor in the accident, but “no evidence on scene shows that it was.”

The boys’ bodies were taken to Fleury Patry Funeral Home in Berlin, N.H.

Wade urged people, especially young drivers, to buckle up. “You see their young faces, and think what a waste.” Wade said.

“That section of the road is very tight,” Wade said. “Kids 18 and under have little experience. We want to stress to kids, slow down and wear your seat belts.”

The boys’ bodies were taken to Fleury Patry Funeral Home in Berlin. Funeral arrangements are set for a few days from now, Wade said.