Teen sisters killed in fiery car crash in Virginia, cops say. ‘Never be whole again’
Two teenage sisters were killed when the car they were riding in flipped and caught fire, Virginia authorities say.
Dawn Donnelly, 16, and her older sister, Alexyss Scott, 18, died March 11, Major Troy Skebo from the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office told McClatchy News. The sisters were riding in the backseat of a Honda Accord when the driver lost control in a curve and struck a tree.
The car overturned before sliding in an embankment, correcting itself and catching fire, Skebo said.
Donnelly was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office. Scott was ejected from the car and taken to Mary Washington Hospital, where she died.
Witnesses told deputies that before the wreck, the Honda crossed a double yellow line at a high speed to pass two cars, according to Skebo.
The sisters attended Riverbend High School, Spotsylvania County Public Schools said in a Facebook post. Donnelly was a junior and Scott was a senior.
The car’s driver, also a student at Riverbend High School, was “flown to the hospital in critical condition,” the school district said. A fourth passenger — a 17-year-old from South Carolina, according to the sheriff’s office — suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Extra counselors will be available for students following the incident, the school district said.
Family members shared tributes to the girls on Facebook following the wreck.
“Mommy and Daddy are so proud of the bright light that you to our worlds for all the time we we’re privileged enough to be your parents,” the girls’ mother, Asha Scott, wrote in a post. “Our hearts will never be whole again but we will see you again someday.”
“I have no words,” their father, Aaron Scott, wrote. “Our hearts hurt…… I can’t go a minute without thinking of our babies.”
“Devastated and heartbroken at the unexpected loss of my beautiful young nieces,” their aunt Ryann Thornton posted. “Lord, I don’t understand this at all, so I am choosing to be thankful for my Faith right now (because) it’s the only thing giving me any peace.”
Spotsylvania is about 50 miles north of Richmond.
This story was originally published March 14, 2023 at 5:46 PM with the headline "Teen sisters killed in fiery car crash in Virginia, cops say. ‘Never be whole again’."
