CABARRUS CO. — Hailey Allen, 18, was on her way to see family Friday when troopers said she drifted off Highway 200, over-corrected and hit an oncoming car head-on near Midland.
Troopers told Channel 9 they are still investigating the crash, and are hoping to determine if Allen was on her cellphone at the time of the crash. They believed she might have been distracted by something while driving.
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However, on Tuesday troopers said the phone was too damaged to be able to retrieve any information from it.
Allen's father, Marshall, told Channel 9 off-camera that his daughter was special.
"She just loved life, and we all loved her," he said.
Pamela Campbell works at a convenience store with Allen's mother. It's a stone's throw from Central Cabarrus High School, where Allen graduated just over two weeks ago.
On the checkout counter, Campbell has a card customers are signing, for the family.
"We all love her and we're gonna miss her, and there won't be a day that goes by that I won't be reminded of her," Campbell said.
Being just down the street from Central Cabarrus High School, Campbell said she sees lots of students in her store, and has heard of too many bad accidents.
"I don't want to see any more," she said.
Two crosses stand on Highway 200 outside Midland, both in memory of Allen. They bear signatures of friends, stuffed animals, and thoughts of her recent graduation.
In front of the crosses, the shoulder is littered with shattered car parts, plastic and glass.
The 69-year-old Concord woman who Allen hit head-on did not suffer life-threatening injuries. Troopers do not believe speed or alcohol contributed to the crash.
The small convenience store near the school has raised $600 to help cover Allen's funeral costs, and in total donations have already topped $4,000 in only four days.
As of late Tuesday, funeral arrangements were still incomplete, according to Hartsell Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements for the family.
Click here if you'd like to make a donation to go toward funeral costs.
WSOC