FALL RIVER, MASS. (WHDH) - A Fall River teenager died in a car crash on her way to prom Friday night that also left her passenger injured.
State Police said an 18-year-old girl was driving on the southbound side of Route 24 near Exit 4 when her Ford Explorer rolled over several times. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The victim and her 18-year-old male passenger were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her passenger is in stable condition. Both were headed to B.M.C. Durfee High School’s senior prom. One classmate said the news was broken to everyone at the dance and the whole room fell silent.
The victim was a senior and was planning on studying art and biology at a local community college in the fall. She was also very active with the Boys & Girls Club in Fall River, where she was recently named “Youth of the Year.”
“She was mentoring kids along the way,” said Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Peter McCarthy. “She absolutely had an impact.”
A memorial has started at the Boys & Girls Club, where friends have left flowers and messages in memory of the teen. Her father stopped by to see the tributes.
“[She] was truly a special person with a big heart,” he said. “She touched everyone.”
The victim’s mother released a statement:
“Thank you everyone for your support and love. The Boys and Girls Club has been incredible and the outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming.”
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