A sad accident happened in Panola County, Mississippi, where 17-year-old Katelyn Ray died after her car crashed into the back of a South Panola school bus early Wednesday morning.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol said the crash happened around 7:15 a.m. on Highway 15 near Highway 6. Katelyn was on her way to pick up her older sister from work when the crash occurred.
Katelyn’s mom, Shelia Ray, said their last talk was a loving and normal one, which turned out to be their final goodbye. When Katelyn didn’t arrive to pick up her sister by 7:30 a.m., the family began to worry.
Her sister, Courtney Pettit, tried calling her many times and later posted on social media asking for help to find her. Soon after, the family got the heartbreaking news from the highway patrol.
Officials said the crash was very serious — Katelyn’s car hit the back of the school bus hard. Luckily, none of the children on the bus were hurt, but sadly, Katelyn lost her life in the accident.
Her aunt, Stephanie Pettit, spoke about how shocked and heartbroken the family is, saying it’s hard to believe someone so full of life is gone. Katelyn had been taking GED classes at the WIN Job Center and was proud to be an aunt.
She had only gotten her driver’s license two months earlier. Her sudden death has deeply saddened the Panola County community, as friends and family try to cope with the loss.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is still looking into what caused the crash, while people continue to share loving messages and memories of Katelyn.