'She was so joyful': Family mourns Lincoln County high school student killed in crash

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers were investigating after a 17-year-old was killed and three others were injured in a crash in Lincoln County Tuesday afternoon.

Officials responded to the scene along Startown Road near Eva Court before 3 p.m.

Troopers said a Chevrolet Cobalt crossed the double yellow centerline and collided with a pickup truck.

The driver of the Chevrolet, 17-year-old Nicole Taelor Kennett, died at the scene. Officials told Channel 9 she was a student at North Lincoln High School.

“She was so joyful. She brought joy to all of our lives,” Kennett’s sister, Rebecca Young, said.

Young told Channel 9 her sister was passionate about her school work, cherished spending time with her family and friends and her main love was horses.

“Just so compassionate about them. She was actually going to be going to school to become a veterinarian,” she said.

Young spoke to Channel 9 by phone as she traveled to North Carolina from Oklahoma to be with her family during this tough time.

“I just want everyone to celebrate her life every time they think of her. How happy and joyful that she was and made everybody while she was still with us,” she said.

Kennett was born in Maine and moved to North Carolina a few years ago.

While she wasn’t in the area long, she had a big impact on North Lincoln High School and her community.

“She considered her friends just like family. She never thought ill of anybody,” Young said.

Authorities said three people from the pickup truck involved in the crash were hurt. They were transported to CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia. The extent of their injuries is unclear.

Cox Media Group