An 18-year-old teenager from Grayslake, who had completed her high school studies last June, was hit by a car and died in a car accident last Saturday, according to authorities.
At approximately 10:12 a.m., the Grayslake Fire and Police Departments responded to a crash involving a pedestrian at the intersection of Washington and Atkinson streets, as announced by the Lake County Coroner's Office in a press release. Authorities determined that a Ford Escape and a Ford F-350 collided at the intersection, and one of the vehicles then struck the pedestrian, identified as Victoria Piela.
Piela was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center, where doctors confirmed her death due to injuries caused by the impact, according to the coroner's office. The autopsy, conducted on Monday, determined that the 18-year-old died from blunt force trauma as a result of the collision.
The Illinois Juniors Volleyball Club, to which Piela belonged, posted on Facebook about the young girl's death, offering condolences to friends, family, and loved ones.
"With deep sadness, we share that our former IJV member, Victoria Piela, passed away in a car accident over the weekend…," the club said in a Facebook post. "She was an amazing young girl, an exemplary player, and had a smile that would light up the room."
Saint Gilbert Catholic School in Grayslake, where Piela attended elementary school, remembered her as "a wonderful friend, student, and leader" who was responsible for building the Little Free Library in front of the school.
"It was a privilege to know Vicky and have her in our school community," the school said in a Facebook post. "We will miss her deeply, but her memory will live on in all those who benefit from the Little Free Library."
The investigation of the accident is ongoing and is being handled by the Grayslake Police Department and the Serious Crash Assistance Team.
Originally posted at Liga Legal® Abogados
