Police say a semi-truck driver simply didn’t stop in time during a rush hour traffic back up.
He crashed into several other cars engulfing them in flames.
The crash injured five drivers, including the truck driver and killed one: an Avondale Schools elementary teacher lost her life.
Jaclyn Scott, 34, was driving on Eastbound I-94 in Chesterfield Township just before six Tuesday evening when traffic stopped just before the 23 Mile Road exit.
She died at the scene after the crash that followed.
“It felt like I was losing my second mom. It was very heartbreaking and sad for me,” said Lily Grace Pursell, a second-grader in Scott’s class at Woodland Elementary School.
Ms. Scott’s family says she was passionate about education, was Teacher of the Year when she was working out of state and had just started the job in Avondale Schools.
“Sometimes when were were having boring stuff, she made it fun,” said Lily Grace.
“I just think her heart and mind was beautiful,” said Jill Pursell, Lily Grace’s mom. “And she was making a difference.”
“We want her family to know that she was only with us for a few months, but she was part of our family and will not be forgotten,” said Arryn Schneider, Principal at Woodland Elementary.
“She should be remembered, and she was a very great person,” said Lily Grace.
