TRENTON, Ohio — As the family of a 15-year-old killed in a crash on State Route 73 Tuesday continues to grieve, their community gathered to show they're not alone during this time.
Anyone traveling near Trenton City Park Thursday saw a sea of red as the family and friends of Hallie Deaton sported her favorite color in honor of the girl they said had the most loving, fun spirit.
Deaton was a passenger in a 2012 Ford Mustang that crossed lanes and crashed into a truck in Wayne Township Tuesday afternoon. The Butler County Sheriff's Office said Deaton was taken to the hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Katie Fulks, a family friend, created a GoFundMe page for Deaton's family.
"When something like this happens in our community, it's tough for everybody out there," Fulks said. "She's very outgoing, she had a lot of friends at Edgewood. She's a great person all the way around."
Deaton's father, James, said that while it has been hard, the support they've received has made all the difference.
"This just shows you how much my daughter was loved," Deaton said. "When she loved you, she loved you with your whole heart — no matter what. And she gave everything she had to love."
Pastor Tim Smith with First Baptist Church remembered Deaton as a girl who lit up church youth group — a loyal and selfless friend to many.
"She was always more concerned about other people's happiness more than her own, always more concerned about their wellbeing than her own," Smith said. "Very caring, kind, compassionate."
NOW: 15-year-old Hallie Deaton loved the color red, and loved sunflowers. She brought the positivity, people tell me. (that's her on the floor)
— Evan Millward (@EvanMillward) April 20, 2022
She died after a crash on SR 73 Tuesday evening.
There will be a vigil at Trenton City Park - Thurs at 730PM.
More at 6 @WCPO pic.twitter.com/vZq57ERsRR
Edgewood City School District confirmed seven of their students were involved in the crash, including Deaton.
"It is with a heavy heart that the Edgewood City School District today is mourning the loss of one of our high school students as a result of injuries sustained," the district said in a message to families. "Our prayers go out to the family and friends of this student."
Two other teens in the car were transported with suspected serious injuries, while EMS took the driver to Kettering Health with minor injuries. Neither Deaton nor another teen in the back seat of the Mustang was wearing a seat belt, officials said. Another teen in the crash joined Deaton's family at the vigil.
"This boy right here ... he was in the wreck with her," Deaton said. "All he could think about was where she was and how she was … you're a good boy son, you hear me. And he's just as hurt as we are."
The district said three passengers in the truck were elementary students. The driver and passengers of the Silverado were not seriously injured in the crash. All were wearing seat belts or in child seats.
"There's eight people involved in this and they're all from our community everybody is here to support all of them," Fulks said.
The GoFundMe for Deaton's family has raised more than $12,000.
