NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio — Deep sorrow hangs over North Ridgeville after authorities confirmed that 16-year-old Violet Gustafson was the pedestrian killed in a tragic crash Monday evening on Lorain Road. The teen, remembered for her bright spirit and strong work ethic, was a student at North Ridgeville High School and a carpentry student at Lorain County JVS.
Police say the collision happened around 6 p.m. as Violet was on break from her job at McDonald’s. She had been walking across the street to a nearby Starbucks to get a coffee when she was struck by an oncoming vehicle.
Officers arrived within minutes and immediately began life-saving measures. Violet was transported to St. John Westshore Hospital in Westlake, where she was later pronounced dead. The driver remained on scene and was not injured. Investigators are working to determine whether speed or other factors contributed to the crash.
The loss of Violet has reverberated throughout the community. On Tuesday, family members, friends, classmates, and teachers gathered at South Central Park for a candlelight vigil and balloon release, sharing memories of the teenager whose presence brought joy wherever she went.
Family friend William St. John described Violet as someone who made everyone feel valued.
“She lit up a room. Every room she lit up. You knew she was there. She made you feel as important as anybody else… just a remarkable young woman,” he said.
According to an online fundraiser, Violet worked two jobs and dreamed of becoming a carpenter. Loved ones say she was confident, funny, hardworking, and deeply caring—traits that left an impact on everyone she met.
North Ridgeville Schools issued a statement expressing condolences and providing support resources to students and staff in wake of the tragic loss.
As investigators continue piecing together the circumstances of the crash, the community is holding tightly to the memory of a vibrant, determined, and much-loved young woman whose life ended far too soon.