A crash that killed two 15-year-old high school students happened after the driver and passengers were distracted by a spider, authorities said.

The 17-year-old driver of the Nissan sedan told Department of Public Safety investigators that she and three others in the car were considering whether to catch or kill the spider when the car drifted off Interstate 17 early Wednesday, Sgt. Rod Wigman said. The driver over-corrected and the sedan rolled at least twice.

The four teenagers in the car were on the way to class at Sinagua High School. Killed were Crystal Cantrell and Michael Darding.

The driver was Crystal Cantrell's older sister, Chelsea Cantrell, Wigman said. She and passenger Sean Lake, 17, remained hospitalized in fair condition Thursday evening.

Wigman said driver distraction appears to be the significant cause of the crash. Alcohol, speed and sleepiness have been ruled out.