Girl, 15, Dies in Christmas Day Crash Alongside Her Grandmother, 75, After Being Struck by Car Allegedly Driving at 100 MPH

A high school sophomore and her grandmother were killed in a devastating car crash on Christmas Day in Virginia, authorities said.

At about 10:39 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 25, six members of the Vu family were traveling home from a holiday dinner when their minivan was rear-ended on the Beltway in Fairfax County, according to NBC Washington, citing Virginia State Police.

Fifteen-year-old Annie Vu, a student at Annandale High School, and her 75-year-old grandmother, Su Nguyen, died in the collision. The four other occupants of the family’s Toyota Sienna were rushed to area hospitals, police confirmed.

“A short distance from the Sienna, on the mainlines of Interstate 495, troopers located a damaged Dodge Ram pickup truck with two injured occupants,” police said. “Both were taken to an area hospital. It is believed the crash may have actually occurred in the main lines of Interstate 495, not the Express Lane.”

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation, Virginia State Police said.

“I don’t know how to, how to live,” Annie’s mother, Duy Cao, told NBC Washington.

Cao, who was driving the minivan at the time, said the family is struggling to cope with the loss. Annie’s 12-year-old brother, Andy, was released from the hospital four days later, according to the outlet.

A GoFundMe page created to support the family states that Andy sustained “serious brain injuries” and will require long-term care.

“The family is in deep shock over the sudden and tragic loss of life and they are asking for your help to lighten the burden of this tragedy and allow Andy and his parents to focus on the long path of recovery ahead,” wrote fundraiser organizer Rachel Vu.

The fundraiser also alleges that the driver who struck the family’s vehicle fled the scene. “No one should ever have to endure what the Vu family is going through,” Rachel wrote, adding that the family is committed to seeing those responsible held accountable.

The Vu family says they were told the vehicle that hit them was traveling at more than 100 miles per hour. Authorities have not yet released the driver’s name or announced any charges. Prosecutors are reportedly awaiting toxicology test results to determine possible charges, NBC Washington reported.

Nguyen was described as a devout Catholic who helped care for her grandchildren while her daughter and son-in-law worked. Annie had aspirations of studying biology and pursuing a career in healthcare.

Annandale High School shared a tribute on Facebook, along with a link to the fundraiser, honoring the teen’s life and character.

“Last week, on Christmas Day, we tragically lost a member of our community, Annie Vu, a sophomore at Annandale HS,” the tribute read. “Annie was a dedicated, bright, and hard-working student who left a lasting impression on all around her.”

The post noted that the family is facing funeral expenses, medical bills, and ongoing care for Andy as he recovers from life-altering injuries, and encouraged community members to support the fundraiser.

The campaign has surpassed its initial $20,000 goal. The family is now urging prosecutors to pursue involuntary manslaughter charges rather than misdemeanors, according to NBC Washington.

“I want everybody to pray for my mother-in-law and for my daughter so they can, you know, be in heaven,” Annie’s father, An Vu, told the outlet.