An 8-year-old girl is being remembered by loved ones after she was killed in a car crash that authorities say was caused by black ice.
The crash happened on State Route 63 in Claiborne County at about 7:45 a.m. local time on Thursday, Jan. 22, according to a report from The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) obtained by an outlet.
THP said an SUV was traveling north when it hit a patch of black ice, causing the vehicle to slide off the right side of the road. The SUV struck a mailbox, then its front end hit a rock embankment before spinning around and coming to an “uncontrolled stop.”
THP said an 8-year-old child died in the crash. Three other people — two adults and a 6-year-old child — were injured.
The girl who died was identified as Scarlett Hoskins, according to ABC affiliate WATE and NBC affiliate WBIR. She was reportedly on her way to school at the time of the crash.
Scarlett’s father, Alex Hoskins, described her as bright, bubbly and exceptionally kind in interviews with local outlets. He said he has been relying on his faith as he grieves.
“She was always doing the right thing, and the kindest little girl,” Alex told WBIR. “She cared about others more than she did anything.”
In an interview with WATE, he said Scarlett will be “forever our little angel,” and called her his “hero.”
“She helped hold me together a lot of times when I needed it,” he told WATE. “I believe our little girl would be super proud, knowing how big of an impact she made.”
A Claiborne County Schools (CCS) administrator said Scarlett attended Ellen Myers Primary School (EMPS) and was the third student in the district to die this school year, according to WBIR. The administrator added that grief counselors have been made available to students and staff.
THP said the two children in the vehicle were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, but the two adults were not, according to WATE.
Scarlett’s 6-year-old sister, Skyla, was injured and underwent surgery, Alex told WATE. She has since returned home, the outlet reported.
A GoFundMe has raised more than $8,000 to help the family with funeral and medical expenses. A second fundraiser has also been organized by Scarlett and Skyla’s school.
