Peoria police say 15-year-old Alexa Flores has passed away after a crash that happened Wednesday near 67th Avenue and Jomax Road.
According to Peoria police, a pickup truck was driving westbound on Sonoran Mountain Ranch Road when it struck a car driving southbound on Ridgeline Road after it failed to yield at a stop sign.
Four teenage girls – between the ages of 16 and 14 years old — were in the car at the time of the accident.
Flores was on life support after the crash but it was announced Thursday by police that she had died.
Two other teenage girls with serious injuries were taken to the hospital via helicopter and ground, a police spokesperson said. Another teenager transported to the hospital by ground with minor injuries.
The 42-year-old man driving the pickup truck was not injured and is cooperating with the investigation.
Classmates and friends continue to be in disbelief since hearing about the tragic crash.
"It just makes me think how quick someone's life could easily be taken away and how careful teenagers should be," Tanner Bruden said.
Ericka Throckmorton, who knew Flores, said "She's an amazing person. She was probably the best friend I ever had."
Jenna Sarna, 14, echoed those sentiments saying, "She's such a sweet girl and she had the biggest smile ever. Whenever you saw her she had the biggest smile on her face."
The three other girls injured in the accident are expected to be OK.
The Deer Valley Unified School District said all of the girls attend Sandra Day O'Connor High School. The district sent a letter home with families on Wednesday afternoon before Flores had passed away.
Dear Sandra Day O'Connor Parents & Guardians,
We are saddened to share that this morning, four OHS students were in a car accident on their way to school. You may have heard about this on the news.
All four were taken to the hospital and it is reported that one has life threatening injuries.
We shared this information with our students today. Unfortunately, we know that much information is shared on social media, but at this time, and with respect to the families involved, we are not able to provide any further information.
Counselors with our District Flight Team provided assistance and support today for students and staff. They will continue to provide support to anyone on our campus who needs it.
With respect to the families involved and our Eagle community, we will be canceling our Dance Program for this evening.
I would ask that you keep these families and our community in your thoughts and prayers as we go through this difficult time.
Sincerely, Dr. Lynn Miller Principal
Neither impairment nor speed appears to be factors in the crash.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the Flores family with funeral costs for Alexa.
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