HEARD COUNTY, Ga. — A west Georgia community is coming together to support two families after a crash killed a 16-year-old girl and left another teenager hospitalized in the intensive care unit.
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Heard County High School students Heaven Inkman and Olivia Steele, both 16, were on their way to a football game Friday night when the crash happened.
Inkman died at the scene. Steele, who was driving, survived but remains in the ICU.
Now, their school and several local businesses are raising money to help both families as they navigate the tragedy.
For those who knew Inkman, her death has left an unimaginable void.
“If I wasn’t at her house, she was at my house. Like my mom took her snack considerations into our grocery list and her mom took mine,” said Mackenzie Ramirez, Inkman’s best friend of nearly five years.
Ramirez told Channel 2’s Ashlyn Webb that the two were inseparable.
“She always wanted everyone to be happy and welcome,” Ramirez said. “Her laugh was so contagious. Like, if you could hear her laugh, literally from a mile away and know she was coming.”
Ramirez said Inkman loved music, volleyball and spending time with her family.
Ramirez was driving to the football game Friday night when her sister called with news of the crash.
Hoping it wasn’t true, Ramirez called Inkman’s mother.
“When her mom picked up, it was a cry you never want to hear out of a person. It was something that just shatters you,” Ramirez said.
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What troopers say happened
According to the Georgia State Patrol, Olivia Steele was driving along Five Notch Road and attempting to cross U.S. 27 when her car collided with an oncoming Chevrolet Tahoe.
Inkman was a passenger in Steele’s car and died at the scene. Steele survived but remains hospitalized in intensive care.
Troopers say the initial crash led to a second collision involving two other vehicles. A Chevrolet Silverado slowed down to avoid hitting the Tahoe when a Kia Sorento rear-ended the Silverado, resulting in a three-vehicle pileup.
Community comes together to support families
In the days since the crash, Heard County High School has provided counselors for students grieving the loss of their classmate.
The school also held a moment of silence in Inkman’s memory.
“In moments like these, we are reminded that we are more than just a school, we are a family, the One Brave Nation,” the school said in a statement.
The school is now collecting cash and gift card donations to help provide meals for both families in the weeks ahead.
Other schools and businesses across the community are also finding ways to help.
At Centralhatchee Elementary School, students can donate $1 to wear pajamas or a hat to school. For $2, they can wear both.
Local restaurant Max’s Place is hosting a benefit karaoke event Thursday, Nov. 12. The restaurant says all proceeds will go toward supporting the families.
A GoFundMe has also been established to help Inkman’s family with funeral expenses.
For Ramirez, the outpouring of support is a reminder of how many lives her best friend touched.
“She was a good person. She deserves everybody to know her name and who she was,” Ramirez said.
But as the community continues to mourn, Ramirez says nothing can replace the friendship she lost.
“She was special to everybody, to me. I think there’s always going to be a part on my heart that I will never fill.”
How to help the families
- Heard County High School: Accepting cash and gift card donations to help provide meals for both families.
- Centralhatchee Elementary School: Students can donate $1 to wear pajamas or a hat, or $2 to wear both.
- Max’s Place: Hosting a benefit karaoke fundraiser Thursday, Nov. 12, with proceeds supporting the families.
- GoFundMe: A fundraiser has been established to help cover Inkman’s funeral expenses
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