Teen dies days after she’s struck walking home from Michigan school. ‘Heart of gold’
Elisa Volcic, a 17-year-old senior, was walking home from school on Oct. 18 when she was “tragically struck by a car,” her family said.
She was hit by a vehicle driven by a 16-year-old junior from the same school while crossing the street in Rochester Hills, Michigan, The Oakland Press reported. Officials confirmed her death was an accident, but the crash is still under review.
Elisa was taken to Beaumont Hospital by emergency first responders, according to a GoFundMe in her name, and her family learned she had a traumatic brain injury and multiple broken bones.
She went into surgery the next day to try to relieve some of the pressure on her brain, but she remained sedated and unresponsive.
Six days after she was hit, Elisa died of her injuries Sunday, according to WDIV.
“Elisa loved life,” her obituary reads. “She was a passionate musician, a wonderful artist, a beautiful writer. She loved to read. Elisa was gentle in spirit and cared for everyone and everything. She had a Heart of Gold, full of joy.”
The high school senior played clarinet and was section leader of marching band, according to the GoFundMe. She had three siblings.
“She planted a garden of love around her,” the obituary continues. “Seeds of joy in the hearts of everyone she touched. In return she was basked in smiles and sunshine; she walked amongst flowers of friendship. No cloud could dampen her spirit for her heart was wrapped in love.”
Rochester Community Schools says her fellow students are honoring her memory by wearing the color turquoise and displaying origami paper cranes.
Photos from the district show the origami cranes, “an ancient symbol of peace, hope and healing,” on shelves and window seals.
“As our school community processes information about this loss, great care and consideration is being focused on attending to the grief felt by our students and staff,” said superintendent Robert Shaner, according to the Oakland Press. “We are a tight-knit community at Rochester Community Schools, and it is important that our students and staff know that we are here to help them. Please keep all those involved in your thoughts and prayers.”
