Three Georgia teens — including a high school volleyball star — were killed, and another was left fighting for her life in a horrific car accident while vacationing in Florida over spring break.
The fatal crash occurred Monday on Interstate 65 in Franklin County while the teens were headed to St. George Island when their Jeep veered off the road and struck a tree line, the Florida Department of Highway Safety said. According to Fox 5 Atlanta.
An 18-year-old male, a 17-year-old female, and a 16-year-old female from Cumming, Georgia died in the wreck.
The fourth victim, a 17-year-old girl, survived the crash and was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital in critical condition, officials said.
One of the victims has been identified as Jaylen Fair, according to a GoFundMe set up to help her parents with travel and funeral costs.
Fehr, a student at Horizon Christian Academy in Cumming, Ga., was described as a star volleyball player and a beloved member of her church community.
“She also played for her club, A5 Gwinnett, and was known for her dedication and sportsmanship on and off the field,” the fundraising page said.
“Jaylene was actively involved in her church, Local Forsyth, and attended youth group at Northpoint Community Church.”
The page noted that “Fehr’s faith and kindness touched everyone who knew her, and her loss was felt by her family, friends, and the entire community.”
She is survived by her mother and father, Lynn and Jason.
Horizon Christian Academy confirmed in A Share Facebook Tuesday that all of the teens involved in the fatal crash were students at the school, adding that it opened its chapel Monday night to provide students and families a place to gather, grieve and pray.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that three of our wonderful, kind, intelligent, and beloved students were killed in a tragic car accident in Florida,” the school announced.
“We pray that these grieving families will feel God’s presence deeply, and that His presence will bring comfort, peace and hope even in the midst of unimaginable loss.”
“In the coming days and weeks, we will stand together, grieve together and support these families in every way we can,” the school added.
Investigators are still trying to determine how fast the Jeep was driven or why it veered off the road, Franklin County Sheriff AJ “Tony” Smith said. He said in a statement.
Good Samaritans driving near the crash stopped and rushed to help the victims before the car caught fire, Smith said.
He added: “They were there perhaps seconds after the accident occurred, and as a result, they stopped to assist, and were able to pull one of the teenage girls from the front passenger seat.”
The sheriff said the community is “heartbroken” by this tragedy and will keep “the families of all these children” in their prayers as they continue to pray for the recovery of the surviving teen.