JOHNSON COUNTY - In 15 days at her new school, Alyssa Benedict was already making friends. Benedict, a 16-year-old sophomore at Clear Creek Amana High School, died and two other teens were injured in a rollover crash on Interstate 380 late Thursday.

Clear Creek Amana Principal Tom McDonald said Benedict and two friends were apparently going to get something to eat after attending a volleyball game at the school in Tiffin.

They never made it.

Authorities said a van driven by 15-year-old Rachel Stewart of North Liberty was northbound on Interstate 380 near the Iowa River bridge around 8:45 p.m. when Stewart lost control and the van rolled, coming to rest on its top in the southbound lanes.

Stewart is a student at West High School. The principal there said he was not at liberty to say if Stewart had a school permit to drive to school. He said a moment of silence was planned for last night’s football game because of the fatal accident.

Benedict, of Tiffin, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was a passenger in the van.

The reason Stewart lost control of the van has not been made public by the Iowa State Patrol. McDonald said he received an unconfirmed report that a rear tire had blown.

Stewart and another passenger, 16-year-old Rachel Petersen, of Tiffin, were taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Petersen was listed in fair condition Friday, and McDonald said doctors expect a full recovery.

“She was pretty well medicated (Friday),” McDonald said. “She had quite a ride in that vehicle. I did go in and see her, and she recognized me and smiled.”

A hospital spokeswoman was not releasing information about Stewart’s condition.

State law allows young drivers with learner’s permits and a school permit to drive to and from school for school-related activities. The drive must take the most direct or accessible route and can only drive between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. They are allowed to have passengers, according to a spokeswoman with the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Counselors were available Friday at Clear Creek Amana and at West High School for students dealing with the death.

Benedict was new to the district this year, as a sophomore, but was quickly making friends, McDonald said.

“My art teacher probably put it best when she said (Alyssa) was an excited, motivated young woman who was very creative,” McDonald said.

McDonald said some faculty who just met Benedict were visibly upset to learn the news.

“We’re trying to go on with business as usual, but obviously it’s not easy to do,” said Mark Moody, assistant principal and wrestling coach.

Tragedy has struck the Clear Creek Amana school district often in recent years.

McDonald said approximately 10 students have died in the past 15 years.

Most recently, 17-year-old Lisa Adams, a senior from Oxford, was killed in a rollover crash March 14.

“We’re far too familiar with this,” McDonald said. “It’s not enjoyable.”

On the Thursday crash, Benedict and Petersen were not wearing seat belts, troopers reported. They did not specify if Stewart was wearing a seat belt in their report.

An investigation into the crash is continuing.

Read the crash report.