The 17-year-old girl who was killed when her car was rear ended on Interstate 76 early Easter morning has been identified.
Police identified the girl as Patricia (Tricia) Powell, of Akron.
Police said that around 2:15 a.m. on March 27, Powell was sitting stationary on the eastbound shoulder near exit 24 when a 63-year-old Talmadge man driving a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox collided with her vehicle.
Powell, who was driving a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero, was transported to Akron City Hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The other driver was transported with non life-threatening injuries.
Powell's mother, Kelly Grady, tells newsnet5.com that her daughter was waiting on the side of the road to be picked up by a friend after her car overheated on her way home from Wal-Mart, where she had met her mom for Easter shopping.
The junior at Ellet High School was very involved and well liked in school, her mom told newsnet5.com's Bob Jones. She played in both the band and orchestra and participated in National Honors Society, student council and key club. She was on this year's homecoming court and had been accepted to University of Akron to start early college classes.
Dozens of Facebook comments mirror her mother's sentiment.
"She was truly and wonderful person inside and out," wrote one person.
"You were growing up to be such a wonderful person and you were gonna make a difference to the world!" said another.
"I'm just crushed right now because she always kept me positive and lifted my spirits," Grady said.
Police say the driver of the car that struck Tricia was a 63-year-old man from Tallmadge. He was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Charges have not yet been filed but police say they believe the man was intoxicated because he smelled like alcohol, had glassy eyes and slurred speech.
The family has set up a memorial fund called the Patricia (Tricia) Powell Memorial Fund. Donations can be made at any First Merit bank.
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