LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- A 17-year-old girl was killed and another teenage girl faces criminal charges after a head-on collision in Lakewood Tuesday night.

Samara Stricklen died of injuries she suffered after a sport utility vehicle driven by a 16-year-old girl slammed into the vehicle that Stricklen was riding in, police spokesman Steve Davis said.

Stricklen was in a sedan driven by a 19-year-old friend, who was also seriously injured. The 16-year-old driver of the SUV had three passengers and all were injured.

Police are looking into the cause of the crash, which occurred at about 8:30 p.m. at Alameda Parkway and West Utah Avenue, about a half-mile from Green Mountain High School. Davis said investigators were waiting for the results of blood tests on the driver but alcohol is suspected.

"The 16-year-old female driver of the SUV faces a potential charge of vehicular homicide as well as additional charges that may result from the on-going investigation," said Davis.

Drivers who are 16 are forbidden by state law from having more than one passenger in any vehicle they drive.

Jennifer Randle, a Green Mountain High School student, said that she saw the 16-year-old driver and the other students standing near their SUV afterschool on Tuesday. She said she walked over to their SUV to say hello and noticed that they had been drinking.

"I saw a 30-pack in the trunk. With that, I smelled the alcohol on their breaths. And I wish I would have done something," Randle said.

Rescue crews had to use the Jaws of Life to cut Stricklen and her friend out of the sedan. Stricklen was airlifted to Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colo., where she died.

"Samara wasn't drinking and it's just really sad that she had to be the one who died," said Green Mountain student Martha Murphy.

"I hope it makes people realize and make people see what alcohol can do when you're young and you're behind the wheel," said Randle.

Stricklen was a junior at Bear Creek High School and had recently transferred from Green Mountain High School. She was smart and popular. She was taking Advanced Placement classes and easily made friends at her new school.

"She has lots of friends. She does have a bubbly personality. She's got a great sense of humor," said Bear Creek principal Phyllis Emrich.

Grief counselors were at both schools Wednesday to comfort fellow students. The schools sent a letter home with students, saying that the accident will have a profound effect on the school and the community.

Parents are already responding.

"And now my mom is making us walk to Taco Bell instead of drive because she's nervous," said Green Mountain student Heidi Culver.

Davis said all of the teenagers involved in the crash were students or former students from the two schools.

The 16-year-old driver of the SUV is being held at Mountview Juvenile Detention Center. She has a 1:30 p.m. detention hearing Thursday. The district attorney has until next Tuesday to decide on what charges to pursue.

Results for the toxicology tests will take several days. She may face another charge for being a young driver with too many passengers.

Stricklen's mother was called by one of the teens injured in the crash and went to the accident scene, police said.

About 300 teenagers held a two-hour vigil Wednesday night at the accident scene.

Stricklen's parents, Michelle and Bill Stricklen, attended the event and implored teenagers not to drink and drive.

Earlier, they released the following statement:

"We as parents want to say thank you to the community for their support and prayers. It is really a great loss for our sweet daughter. We will love her forever."