GREECE, N.Y. — The Hilton community is in mourning: A student is dead and another is injured after a car crash in the town of Greece over the weekend.
Greece police say Paige Smith, 18, of Hilton was killed on Latta Road just after 6 p.m. Sunday.
They say Smith was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Brianna Scarpulla, 18, of Hilton — she was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with what police say appear to be non-life threatening injuries. Police believe she crossed the center line, crashing head-on with a vehicle driven by a 64-year-old Greece woman. That driver was also taken to Strong, where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Police say they're still trying to figure out what caused the teen's car to cross over the line, but say speed was likely a contributing factor.
"There's some indication that they may have been communicating with another vehicle somehow or waving or something to that effect," said Patrick Phelan, Greece Police Chief. "We're working all of that out right now."
Police closed the road for most of the night while investigating.
Dozens of students from Hilton High School, as well as others from the community gathered at the school's football field to hold a vigil for the victim, holding candles to pay their respects.
Students say Monday was emotional inside the school as students mourned for the loss of their classmate and that many students didn’t show up for tests. They said how nice Paige was and how she will be very missed. They also had a banner inside the school for students to sign.
“You can see how much it’s affecting everyone," said Aleah Hughes, sophomore at Hilton High School. "With Paige gone and Bri in the hospital it’s taking a huge effect on everyone even principals came last night crying — it’s taking a huge impact on everyone.”
Hilton school district officials say that counselors are available to students and staff.
A GoFundMe has been established on Paige's behalf.