West Meck students mourn 15-year-old classmate killed in crash

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Counselors were on hand at West Mecklenburg High School Wednesday as students mourned the death of a 15-year-old classmate killed in a crash Tuesday morning.

Police said Heaven Seay was in the backseat of a car when the driver ran off Windy Grove Road and hit a tree around 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Shortly after the crash, friends visited the scene, leaving flowers and a cross with messages of love.

Investigators told Channel 9 that two other West Meck students, Gerado Gillan and Esmeralda Hermosillo, were in the car too and were hurt, along with the driver.

Police said the driver, 18-year-old Austin Locke, was speeding and lost control. Police said Thursday that he was also seriously injured in the crash.

School officials said he was not a student.

A cross was placed where Seay died.

“Everybody loved Heaven because she was always looking out for someone, like if you needed somebody to be there, she was there,” Vincent White said.

Payton Eubanks could not help but share the bittersweet irony of her friend’s name.

“Anytime you needed somebody you'd go to Heaven,” Eubanks said. “Anytime you were upset, you'd go to Heaven. If you were happy, you'd go to Heaven. You just wanted to be around her all the time.”

No charges have been filed.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools released a statement on the crash: "We are very saddened by this accident. Tomorrow, CMS counselors will provide emotional support to any students who need help dealing with this loss."

Check back for more on this developing story.

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