An Ellet High School student was killed in the early hours of Easter Sunday after a suspected drunken driver struck her car from behind on Interstate 76, police and family reported.
Patricia “Tricia” Powell, 17, was transported to Summa Akron City Hospital, where she died from her injuries. The other was driver, a 63-year-old Tallmadge man, also was transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
The man’s identity has not been released by police. An investigation is pending.
Tricia’s parents, Kelly Grady and Garrison Powell, could not be reached for comment, but many friends and extended family shared their grief on social media.
Her grandmother, Marji Powell, said Tricia had been out Easter shopping with her mother when her car overheated at about 2:15 a.m. Sunday.
Police said she pulled over near the Archbishop Hoban walk bridge at Exit 24, where her family said she called for help. She was waiting for help when her 2002 Oldsmobile Alero was struck by a 2015 Chevy Equinox.
Marji expressed anger on Facebook regarding her grandchild’s death.
“This has left ANOTHER hole in our family’s hearts from a loss,” she wrote, “but THIS COULD have been prevented IF that drunk driver had made a better choice to NOT DRIVE after drinking alcohol.”
The grandmother described Tricia’s family as tight-knit and thanked God for allowing them to have her in their lives, if only for a short time.
“We cry this Easter day because she couldn’t stay longer,” she wrote. “Fly high sweet girl.”
Marji’s husband, Carl Powell, also expressed grief on Facebook.
“Our hearts are broken, and a piece is missing,” he said. “We will miss her for the rest of our lives, but she will live on in each and every one of us because the memories and love that our family has will never let her go.”
Others on Facebook and Twitter said they were thinking of Tricia and her family.
The Ellet Marching Band, in which Tricia participated, said on its website that grief counselors were available Monday for students who need to talk.
“As many of you have heard, we lost Patricia Powell, a beautiful and talented young lady early this morning,” a band spokesperson wrote. “Please keep her family, and many friends in your prayers through this difficult time.”
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ.