Friends are remembering a St. Charles County teenager for her smile and her laugh.
St. Peters Police said 16-year old Emily Oechsner died after a car accident on Tuesday. The teen, who lived in St. Peters, was the only occupant in the car she was driving on Mid Rivers Mall Drive. Police said she made a left hand turn onto St. Peter’s Square and collided with an oncoming car.
She hospitalized after the crash and passed away Thursday.
She was a junior at Fort Zumwalt East High School. School leaders said she was part of the cheerleading and soccer teams. The school district has counselors available for students this week.
Thursday night, Fort Zumwalt students paid tribute to Oechsner at a rivalry hockey game against Fort Zumwalt South. An announcer called for a moment of silence in honor of Emily before the game started. Friends gathered to share stories and support each other.
“She has this distinctive laugh and this beautiful smile,” said one friend, Jessica Huskey.
“She is the sweetest person you would ever meet,” added another friend, Peyton Staley. “She is definitely the light of any room you go into.”
Friends also want to promote seatbelt safety, in light of the accident. As part of the crash investigation, St. Peter’s police will review whether safety belts were used.
This week, friends launched #Pray4Emily on Twitter and even started a GoFundMe page to help the teen's family.
“I think everyone showing support, even from different schools, it’s amazing,” Staley said. “Because everyone knows how much of an impact she’s made on anyone that she’s ever talked to.”
