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Sherwood High School student Sanaa Virtue Vil, 17, has been identified by police as the person killed on Wednesday morning in a single-vehicle crash in Sandy Spring.
Shortly before 8 a.m. on Oct. 2, police say that Vil was driving a red 2005 Toyota Corolla north on Norwood Road near Ashton Way on the way to school when it failed to navigate a turn and struck a wooden telephone pole.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel were called to the scene, where Vil and two other 17-year-old passengers had to be extricated from their vehicle.
The Brookeville resident was pronounced dead at the scene and her two teen passengers were taken to the hospital in critical, but stable condition.
Following her death, support has been pouring in for Vil's family, which includes four siblings and both parents.
According to her family, Vil was a member of Sherwood High School's varsity women's basketball team, and active in the Black Student Union.
She was remembered as a "beautiful soul in and out," by friends.
"Sanaa Vil was a bright light; may her memory bring peace to all who knew and loved her," according to members of the Sherwood High School PTSA.
"I have never seen so many people hurt in such a short time," another well-wisher posted on social media.
"One thing I got from this was to never waste your time in life with anger," she continued. "You never know how much time you have left, be kind to those around you like Sanaa always was."
A GoFundMe campaign set up by Ruth Natasha Vil quickly gained traction, with the community raising nearly $25,000 in the hours after the teen was killed in the crash.
"Sanaa's family, friends and church community are still in shock by this devastating loss and are trying to cope with this sudden death. She was scheduled to graduate in Spring 2025 with high hopes of attending college in the fall," she wrote.
"As her family, friends, and church community are still reeling from this devastating loss, we are asking for support.
The campaign can be found here.
"We (lost) a bright light today so you support and compassion during this time would be greatly appreciated."
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