- Elizabeth “Libby” Radecki was killed on Feb. 14 following a two-vehicle crash in Minnesota
- Radecki was described as “a bright light and a joy magnet to all,” according to her obituary
- “The people who are reaching out to us letting us know the impact that she had on their life has been one of the reasons … we are breathing,” her father Chris Radecki said
A Minnesota girl was killed in a car crash more than one week after her 17th birthday as she headed home from school.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said the two-vehicle crash happened on Friday, Feb. 14, at Stagecoach Trail North and 10th Street North in Washington County, NBC affiliate KARE reported.
At the time, authorities believed the weather, which was snowing at the time, may have been a factor in the crash, according to ABC affiliate KSTP and CBS affiliate WCCO.
Officials said the driver from one of the vehicles, identified as Elizabeth “Libby” Radecki, died at the scene, KARE reported. The driver of the other vehicle was expected to survive.
Radecki was on her way home from her school, St. Croix Prep Academy, in Stillwater when she was killed, WCCO reported.
“The next sheriff said, ‘It was a bad accident and she’s deceased.’ The earth split open,” Dawn Radecki, Libby’s mother, recalled.
Chris Radecki, Libby’s father, remembered the last moments he spent with his daughter before the tragedy.
“Before I went off to work, we gave each other a hug and said ‘I love you,'” he told WCCO. “We’re both so grateful those were the last words that were said.”
Chris shared with KSTP the outpouring of support the family has received from people following Libby’s death.
“The people who are reaching out to us letting us know the impact that she had on their life has been one of the reasons … we are breathing,” he said.
“We’re learning now just how many lives she touched,” Dawn told the outlet.
According to an obituary, Libby was known for her “funny, sarcastic, and kind-hearted nature.”
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, St. Croix Prep Academy said Libby’s “optimism and enthusiasm brightened every space she entered, and our small community feels her loss profoundly.”
“The unimaginable loss of this brilliant, inspiring young woman has shaken us deeply,” the school added. “There simply are not the right words to express to her family how saddened we are by this tragedy, and how grateful we are that you allowed us the privilege of knowing Elizabeth Radecki.”
Libby was also volunteer at Camp Daniel, an organization based in Wisconsin that helps provide people with disabilities “opportunities for personal, social and spiritual growth.”
In a Sunday, Feb. 16, Facebook post, the group paid tribute to Libby, saying that she “was someone who was easy to love” and was planning to be an intern at the camp this summer.
In addition to her parents, Libby, who turned 17 on Feb. 6, is survived by her two sisters Katie and Aly “as well as a long list of cherished grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and loving friends,” the obituary stated.
A GoFundMe was established in honor of Libby to support the family’s memorial services and Camp Daniel. Over $26,000 has been raised as of Friday, Feb. 21.
“Family was at the heart of everything Libby did,” the organizer wrote in the fundraiser’s description. “She was a loving daughter, sister and friend, always putting others before herself. Faith guided Libby’s every step and she lived that faith through acts of service, kindness and joy.”
A celebration of life service is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22.
