DRYDEN, N.Y. -- She was known to her friends as 'Boots.' Kaylee Wacht got the nickname after showing up to cheerleading practices in cowboy boots.
"We'll miss her spirit," said Dryden Central School District Superintendent Sandra Sherwood.
The Dryden community was shocked by the news of her death. The 11-year-old was killed after being struck by a pickup truck on Sunday evening.
"It sounded like a big bomb went off," said resident John Smith, who was at home when he heard the accident on Sheldon Road.
"To me, I knew something really was bad that happened. I knew that after I saw it," said Smith.
He and his wife rushed out to help in any way they could.
"There was a girl screaming out there. The scream was bad. It wasn't a normal scream. And she was pure white," said Smith.
The screams came from 14-year-old Kristin Shevalier, who was with Kaylee when she was struck. Shevalier was also hit, but survived the crash.
State police say the driver was on the same side of the road as the girls. They were on a walk after sunset -- and the road is unlit at night.
The speed limit on the road is 45 miles per hour, but neighbors say they often see drivers going 70 or 80 mph. With no sidewalk at all, that makes it a dangerous road to walk on.
Kaylee's grandmother says the young girl had a wonderful spirit, was full of life, and was never afraid to speak her mind. School administrators say her loss is devastating. They have grief counselors on hand for students, and the community is rallying to support the family.
"There's the initial sense of loss, then there's a reflection of ... you know, our children are our most valuable assets, and we don't always necessarily remember that or view them that way, so I think the community just takes a pull-your-kids-closer response," said Sherwood.
A flag at the school has been lowered to half-staff in honor of Kaylee's memory.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with funeral expenses. If you'd like to donate, you can visit this link.