Authorities say a teenage girl from Missouri died this week while on the very first drive her parents allowed her to take alone.
According to KMBC News , 16-year-old Savannah Nash of Harrisonville, Missouri got permission Thursday afternoon to drive to the grocery store to pick up a few items for the family dinner.
It was on this trip that her vehicle was T-boned by a tractor trailer and she was killed.
Investigators said Nash was trying to turn left to go northbound on Highway 7 when she pulled out in front of the 2003 Freightliner semi tractor trailer.
The truck tried to stop but was unable to brake in time.
Nash, who had just received her driver’s license earlier in May, was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver was not injured.
Following the horrific accident, police said they found an unsent text message on Nash’s cell phone, and are investigating to determine whether texting and driving was a factor in the crash.
“There was a text message that was on her phone, however it was not sent yet,” Sgt. Bill Lowe of the Missouri State Highway Patrol told reporters. “That is a probable contributing circumstance to the crash. That’s all part of the investigation.”
A prayer vigil was held for Nash in front of her school on Friday morning.
KMBC notes that about 300 family, friends and classmates gathered at Harrisonville High School to honor Savannah’s memory.
“We will miss your beautiful smile, your laugh and your amazing attitude. You were always nice to me and brightened my day,” a classmate posted on a Facebook page created in Savannah’s honor. “All my love toward you and your family. See you someday.”
More on the tragic accident that claimed the life of 16-year-old Savannah Nash in the video below: