Two Hanford teenagers died Tuesday from injuries sustained during a single-vehicle accident near the intersection of 14th and Elgin avenues.

Tanner Houk, 16, and Derek Williams, 19, were ejected from Houk's 1989 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck after it veered off 14th Avenue north of Elgin, hit a dirt berm and overturned.

The accident occurred just before noon.

Houk, who was driving, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a California Highway Patrol statement. Williams sustained major trauma and was airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, where he succumbed to injuries just after 4 p.m., said a spokesman for the Fresno County coroner.

Houk was entering his junior year at Hanford High School, and Williams was a Hanford High senior in 2006.

According to the CHP release, Houk was traveling northbound on 14th Avenue at speeds from 50 to 55 mph.

For an undetermined reason, Houk steered the vehicle to the right, where it traveled in a northeasterly direction off the roadway and onto the east dirt shoulder. Houk then steered back to the left. The truck crossed the road onto the west dirt shoulder, where it hit a dirt berm bordering a corn field and overturned, ejecting both teens.

According to the CHP release, neither was wearing a seat belt.

The collision is still under investigation.

One of Houk's best friends said he would be remembered as a jokester who always wanted to make people laugh.

"Whenever someone was down, all it took was one word from him to make you happy," said Landry Macedo, 16, as he held back his emotions during a phone interview.

Macedo said they had been close friends since kindergarten.

"Our dream was to be basketball players and play in the NBA," said Macedo. "We used to always talk about how fun that would be."

Houk played basketball his freshman year for Hanford High.

Williams will be remembered as more of a quiet guy who, once you got him talking, was extremely nice, said friend Jordn Hopkins, 15.

"He always avoided conflict and never said anything bad about anyone else," she said.

Williams played varsity water polo for Hanford High in 2006, and was voted biggest daredevil, according to the 2006 Hanford High yearbook.

A candlelight memorial was held by more than 10 friends at the site of the accident around 9 p.m. Tuesday night.

Houk's MySpace page has become an online area for grieving, where friends have gathered to share their memories.

"I know you are with God now and in a peaceful place. I love you Tanner, always and forever," wrote MySpace user Haley.