DUNWOODY — Investigators said 18-year-old Lucy Boettcher died when the SUV she was riding in crashed and rolled along Interstate 285 in Dunwoody.
On Wednesday, family and friends held a vigil and prayer service at Etowah High School, where Lucy was set to graduate on
Friday. Hundreds of people showed up to show their support, including Lucy's parents, her brother, sister and her boyfriend.
Friends describe Lucy as having a contagious smile, a love of life and a deep faith in God.
"I just want you to know she is sitting on God's lap right now and she is so happy," said Michelle Boettcher, Lucy's sister.
"I know this life is so short compared to eternity. I know God is going to comfort me. She touched so many people," said Boettcher's best friend, Hailey Lyerly.
Maddie Jenkins and Morgan Mintz were also friends with Boettcher. They said the smiling and happy senior was a gift from God.
"She's honestly the nicest person I have ever met. It's hard to explain because you don't see many people like her, ever," Mintz said.
"Yesterday was our first graduation practice and everyone was excited, hadn't seen each other in a few days. This morning it was complete silence. Everyone was just in complete shock, crying," Jenkins said.
Dunwoody police said at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Boettcher died in a single vehicle crash on I-285 at Chamblee Dunwoody Road. They said the driver was distracted, lost control of the vehicle, overcorrected and caused the Ford Explorer to roll several times. News spread quickly of Boettcher's death.
"You could just tell how much she impacted the school by how everyone felt," Mintz said.
Darius Valcarcel, a 2010 Etowah grad, was also killed in the accident.
"A happy soul with a contagious laugh who always gave the best bear hugs. His protective personality was evident in his boyhood dream of becoming a cop. And he will always be remembered for his abundant love for his family, his friends and anyone's path he may have crossed," said Valcarcel's family in a statement.
Boettcher's boyfriend, Anthony White, was injured in the car accident.
"We were in the back. She was sitting in the middle close to me, we were just kind of laughing, dancing, we were going to Stone Mountain to see the laser showbecause she really wanted to do that," said White, who said he planned to marry Lucy.
On Friday, Etowah High School will hold an empty chair in honor of Lucy.
WSBTV
