Plainfield Teen Killed In Crash 'Always Had A Smile'

PLAINFIELD, IL -- The Plainfield South High School community was in mourning Wednesday after a 16-year-old student was killed in a single-vehicle crash.

Police said Alyssa Smith was a passenger in a vehicle when it struck a utility pole at 4:58 p.m. Tuesday near Walker and Arbeiter roads.

As deputies arrived on the scene, the driver, also a 16-year-old girl, was being treated for her injuries by Plainfield paramedics. Police said she suffered minor injuries in the crash.

Smith was transported to Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, where she was later pronounced dead, police said.

The crash is being investigated by the Kendall County Sheriff's Office and Illinois State Police.

Smith was a sophomore at Plainfield South. Principal Bob Yanello called the teen "a very compassionate young lady," saying she volunteered at a local animal shelter and worked in the preschool at Plainfield South, where she made a positive impact on the children.

"She worked very hard in school and was willing to help others," Yanello said. "She always had a smile."

Plainfield School District Director of Community Relations Tom Hernandez said counselors were made available to all students in the wake of the tragedy. He offered condolences to Smith's family.

"There's nothing worse than the death of a child," Hernandez said. "This is heartbreaking for everyone involved."

Friends took to Twitter to mourn their loss.

"Alyssa Smith was a very kind soul and she will not be forgotten," one wrote. Another said, "rest easy alyssa. from kindergarten to now, you were a great person with such a kind heart."

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Smith's family with funeral costs.

"No family deserves to lose someone and have deal with the grief and stress of planning/paying for funeral costs," organizer David Morris wrote. "Please donate to help Alyssa's family with some of the financial burden that comes with funeral costs and such. Rest easy Alyssa, we all love you so much."

Image via Twitter