The vehicle carrying a 14-year-old Chillicothe teen was packed over capacity when it was involved in a deadly, single-vehicle crash Friday, according to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.
Marshall County Chief Deputy Aaron Wilson told the Journal Star the vehicle was carrying six people, all minors, when it crashed Friday night at 619 County Rd 450 N., killing Kayleigh Dalrymple. The vehicle was not designed to carry six people, Wilson said.
Criminal charges are a possibility in the case, Wilson said, but police are still investigating.
The crash occurred around 5 p.m. Friday. Dalrymple was transported to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in “grave condition” and later died after aggressive attempts to save her life, according to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood. She was pronounced dead at 7:47 p.m.
Teen described as smart, loyal and free-spirited
Dalrymple is survived by her two parents and eight siblings, according to her obituary. She was a freshman at Illinois Valley Central High School in Chillicothe.
“Her siblings were her world and every moment she spent with them was cherished,” the obituary says of Dalrymple. “She was loving, caring, free-spirited and loved being outdoors. Kayleigh was true to herself and was not afraid to speak her mind.”
Chad Allison, the superintendent of Illinois Valley Central School District 321, said the entire community was “heartbroken” over the death of Dalrymple.
“We are devastated by the loss of Kayleigh Dalrymple and our thoughts are with their family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” Allison said in a statement. “This is a profound loss for our school community and we are committed to providing support for our students, staff and families as we grieve together.”
Allison described Dalrymple as a “smart, creative and tenacious student” and a person who was loved by her friends because she was “funny and a loyal and protective friend.”
“Above all, she embodied strength and determination and will be missed by many in the IVC community,” Allison said. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time.”
A visitation for Dalrymple is scheduled for Wednesday at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Vehicle in crash that killed Chillicothe teen was packed over capacity