Local

Local girl dies while car-surfing

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia State Patrol said a student at Dawson County High School was fatally injured while riding on the roof of a friend's car late Monday night.

Anna Hawkins, of Dawsonville, was thrown from the vehicle after the driver lost control rounding a curve on Couch Road.

"The vehicle attempted to negotiate the curve, lost control, struck an embankment and at the time the driver lost control, the young lady on top of the vehicle got ejected and hit the roadway," said Georgia State Patrol Trooper Steve Thompson.

Police said alcohol was not a factor in the crash. The 16-year-old girl's mother and other relatives were at the crash site Tuesday morning while an accident reconstruction team marked the course of the crash.

An aunt of the victim told Channel 2 Action News the family cannot understand why the high-achieving teenager would risk such a dangerous stunt.

"She was very, very smart. Her SAT scores were very high. She was probably going to get a full-ride scholarship to a college," said Lynn Burn, an aunt.

Burn told Regan her niece excelled in sports as well.

"Anna was a beautiful child. She was at the top of her class. She was a star soccer player. She was voted most valuable player on her soccer team," said Burn.

Police are still questioning the driver, who could face charges. She was a close friend of the victim. Investigator said car surfing is nothing to joke about.

"When I see it on YouTube, I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous this is. I beg the teenagers, please stay inside the vehicle and wear their seat belts," said Thompson.