Family, Friends Holding Vigil For Teen Killed While Walking To Dakota High School

MACOMB TWP. (WWJ) - Family and friends of a 14-year-old girl who was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking to school are inviting the community to a candlelight vigil to support each other and remember Victoria Cartwright.

The vigil is being held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 near the big rock at Dakota High School, along 21 Mile just east of Heydenreich Road. Anyone interested in attending is asked to wear white.

Cartwright died Friday morning after she was struck by a 2016 Jeep Wrangler on Heydenreich Road at Vine Drive, between 21 Mile and 22 Mile roads. The driver, a 16-year-old girl, was also headed to Dakota High School with a 16-year-old passenger; neither were injured.

School officials say counselors, social workers and  psychologists will be available to students who would like to talk.

In a statement, principal Paul Sibley said Cartwright was a well-liked student with a kind heart.

"Victoria Cartwright will be remembered as a creative, artistic student who had her own unique sense of style. She was a neat young lady with a kind heart and a bright smile," Sibley said. "Victoria was well-liked by her peers and the Dakota faculty. She often talked about her strong family relationships, especially the one she shared with her mother and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. She will be missed by many."

A GoFundMe account has been established to help Cartwright's family with funeral costs. The fundraiser describes the teen as a "beautiful, sweet and thoughtful girl" whose "smile brought light to the people closest to her."

"Her family is what mattered most to Victoria and we are doing our part to help them through this time," the fundraiser reads. " They are experiencing the most difficult situation any family can go through."

As of Saturday morning, more than $4,500 had been raised. Click here to donate.

The crash remains under investigation.