McKayla Harshaw, Georgia woman killed in 7 car pile up on I-75 in Atlanta days away from her 25th birthday as her partner, Andrew Perez had been planning on proposing. Boyfriend remains in critical condition as he fights for his life.
A Georgia woman was killed in a seven-car pileup last week — just days before her boyfriend had planned on proposing and 4 days before her 25th birthday.
McKayla Harshaw, 24, was killed while her boyfriend Andrew Perez was driving on I-75 in Atlanta as she sat in the passenger seat on the afternoon of Sept. 27.
Georgia State Troopers said the deadly multi-car crash happened when traffic began diverting around a disabled Pontiac vehicle on Friday, leading to two utility trucks crashing into a third van, which collided with the couple’s Toyota Corolla, Action News reported.
7 car pile up along I-75 in Atlanta, Georgia leaves one fatality
Harshaw was killed when the couple’s car flipped following impact.
Seven vehicles were involved and six other people were injured in the accident that shut down the highway for hours. Harshaw was the only person killed in the pile up.
Perez was hospitalized with a fractured skull and a broken neck and back, AJC reported.
Hawshaw’s mother Melissa Gunther revealed she learned from Perez’s brother that his sibling was getting ready to propose to Harshaw before the horrific crash.
‘My dearest daughter, McKayla Harshaw, you should have been 25 today, but I realized this afternoon, that you will forever be 24. We miss your smile and you spunky personality,’ Gunther wrote on Facebook. ‘We miss you so much. Happy 25th Birthday to my beautiful girl.’
Harshaw worked as a nanny, according to her online obituary.
Harshaw was described as a ‘radiant light in the world’ who was an avid hiker, climber and ‘loved to model’ in her hometown of Marietta, Ga.
‘McKayla will always be 24!’
‘McKayla will be remembered as a selfless beacon of light who touched hundreds of lives, inspiring others to overcome life’s challenges,’ the obituary read.
Gunther added that her daughter didn’t have life insurance and started a GoFundMe to help the family pay for funeral expenses. As of this report, the fundraiser has collected nearly $18,245 in donations out of its goal of $20,000.
Harshaw is survived by her parents, brother and grandparents. A funeral service is set to be held Oct. 5.