PALATKA, Fla. —
A serious crash in Putnam County Friday afternoon left two people dead.
Action News Jax first reported that an 18-year-old was pronounced dead on the scene
A second passenger died from serious injuries Saturday morning at UF Health in Jacksonville.
Family members identified that second passenger as 17-year-old Jaden Gill.
Kelly Gill, her mother, told Action News Jax that the crash crushed both of her lungs and she passed away at 7:51 Saturday morning.
“I could tell she was struggling. She wasn’t responsive. She had no motion. She was lifeless,” Kelly told Action News Jax’s Robert Grant.
Jaden was learning virtually, but formerly attended Mandarin High School.
She lived in Mandarin with her mother, and had a brother that lives in Ohio.
“She was very independent. Jaden was Jaden. If she had a fault with you, she was going to tell you,” Kelly said, noting her daughter’s strong personality.
The teenager was set to graduate high school this year and had plans of attending cosmetology school.
ORIGINAL STORY: FHP: Crash leaves one dead, three injured in Palatka
Almost a year ago, her father lost a long battle with cancer.
“I told her, ‘your daddy’s in heaven waiting for you. That’s between you and God where you’re going. Or Mom is here on Earth. You make the choice’.” Kelly said Jaden made that choice Saturday morning to be with her father.
Jaden and another passenger are from Jacksonville.
One passenger lives in Saint Augustine and another in Florahome.
Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating what led up to the crash.
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