Coast Guardswoman from NJ killed in fiery California crash

A Monmouth County woman enlisted with the United States Coast Guard was one of two people who died in a fiery crash on Valentine's Day in Sonoma County, Calif.

Samantha Crowell, 21, of Ocean Grove, died in the crash on Highway 1 near Doran State Park, Bodega Bay north of San Francisco, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. Crowell was a passenger in a car driven by Daniel McKnew, 25, from Maryland. McKnew also died in the crash.

California Highway Patrol officer Jon Sloat said McKnew was driving at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his Hyundai Genesis on a curve. Sloat said McKnew's car spun off the roadway and burst into flames after slamming sideways into a large tree around 1:45 a.m. early Sunday. An investigation by the highway patrol is ongoing to determine if alcohol was a factor.

"We're very heartbroken at the tragic loss of two of our shipmates. They are both very young. Her classmates are handling it as well as can be expected," base spokeswoman Lt. Erin Chlum said. A memorial service at the training center for Crowell and McKnew is scheduled for Saturday.

Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Sarah Janaro said Crowell had a rate title of "fireman." She began her Coast Guard career in Cape May in 2013 before being assigned to Sandy Hook.

Crowell has recently transferred to the Coast Guard's Training Center in Petaluma to attend Health Service Technician  school with the goal of becoming a corpsman.