High school senior, days away from graduation, killed in crash involving suspected DUI driver

ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. (Gray News) - A young North Carolina girl died in a car crash just days before graduating from high school.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the crash happened on Monday at about 12:30 a.m. on Highway 87 in Alamance County.

Authorities said a car driven by 38-year-old Tracey Hernandez crossed the center line and hit a vehicle being driven by 18-year-old Lily Hahn head-on.

Hahn was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say Lily Hahn, 18, died in a crash on Highway 87 in North Carolina.(GoFundMe)

Four children were also in Hernandez’s car. No one was restrained, but authorities said no one suffered any life-threatening injuries in that vehicle.

Loved ones said Hahn was just four days away from graduating from Southeast Alamance High School at the time of her death.

She had planned on attending Alamance Community College and Appalachian State University after graduation, family said.

Loved ones say they are heartbroken over the loss of the 18-year-old.

“A beautiful life was lost. Lily’s smile could light up a room and her laugh was contagious,” Natalie Cecil shared in a GoFundMe made in Hahn’s memory. “She had the most beautiful soul and brought so much joy to everyone around her. Her loss is heartbreaking to all.”

Troopers said Hernandez was suspected of driving under the influence at the time of the crash. She is expected to be arrested once released from the hospital.