Jacksonville teen's decision to donate organs could save 7 lives

A Jacksonville teen who died after a crash on I-295 on Wednesday is giving the gift of life after her death.

Danielle House, 17, died after she and her father got into a crash on I-295 at I-10 on Wednesday morning.

Her family says she had a heart of gold, and her decision to donate her organs is just a small example of that.

Photos: Teen saving lives after death by car crash

“She was wonderful in life. She is wonderful in death,” Danielle’s aunt Michelle Turner said.

Turner held back tears as she spoke with Action news Jax outside UF Health Jacksonville.

She said Danielle made the decision to become an organ donor on her own.

"I didn’t know," she said. "It was on her license. She did that on her own, at 17."

Doctors said the decision could save up to six lives.

Florida Highway Patrol says Danielle and her father were in a Chevy pickup truck when he lost control and drove into oncoming traffic.

Their truck was hit by two cars. They both were taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

Turner says witnesses report something came off the truck or went under it moments before the crash.

Danielle’s dad Jimmy is on life support and FHP is still investigating the official cause of the crash.

The crash report says Danielle and her father were not wearing seat belts.

Turner says beyond the life-saving gift Danielle is giving through her organs, there is another lesson for everyone.

“Wear your seatbelt, it saves lives,” she said.

Danielle’s boyfriend said on Facebook that there will be a vigil for the teen at the Jacksonville Beach Pier at 8 p.m. Saturday.

The family is raising money on a GoFundMe page.

Cox Media Group