An event that should have been happy turned to tragedy in the United States on Thursday when a young woman died in a car accident shortly after graduating.
The accident happened around 12:30 p.m. in Colts Neck, New Jersey, as 18-year-old Lauren Hewski was returning home from graduating from Brookdale Community College’s pre-college program.
She was in a Jeep Cherokee — being driven by a 17-year-old boy — when it struck a utility pole and then overturned on its side, the New York Post reported on Saturday.
The young woman was pronounced dead on the spot, while the driver was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries.
Lauren Hewski was a senior at St. John Vianney High School and part of an advanced program that enabled her to take courses at Brookdale Community College. She is also one of the youngest graduates of this program, University President David M. Stout told the Asbury Park Press.
“Lauren was an incredibly intelligent and talented young woman who left an indelible positive impression on all of her teachers and classmates,” he said.
According to her high school principal, Margaret Kane, Lauren Hewski was “a talented student and athlete.” The community “has suffered a great loss,” she added.