She was always upbeat and smiling. She was active at school. She would brighten up anyone's day.
Saturday night, friends of 18-year-old Amanda Pierce gathered for a vigil on Davis Islands to remember her life. Pierce, 18, died in a car crash in Jefferson County last night.
Pierce's friend Lindsay Hernandez said she still didn't want to believe it.
"She's watching this and she's loving this," Hernandez said about the vigil. "She's happy that everyone came out."
Jacob Buxton said Amanda was really good with kids. "She's probably babysat like half of South Tampa," he said. "She's awesome."
Amanda Pierce and fellow Plant senior Taylor Lazzara were on a road trip to Tallahassee to pick up Amanda's sister from Florida State University, and also take a look at the campus, said Plant High School Principal Robert Nelson.
Pierce was driving on Interstate 10 when the cars in front of her started slowing down because of two accidents ahead. She swerved to the right to avoid a crash. The two-door Acura she was driving spun a few times, hit a tree and finally stopped on the road shoulder, according to the Florida Highway Patrol report. Pierce died. Troopers said alcohol was not a factor and both girls were wearing their seatbelts.
Lazzara was injured, and attended tonight's candlelight vigil for her best friend on crutches.
She sent out the following message on Twitter, linked to a picture of the two girls: "I love you so much, Amanda. You were my greatest friend and you being gone is unbearable. Be a good angel..."
"Amanda was as fun and lighthearted a person as you could ever meet," said Plant Principal Robert Nelson at a news conference held outside the South Tampa school Saturday afternoon.
Nelson says grief counselors will be on the Plant campus next Monday when students return from spring break.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:51 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:51:06 GMT
Attorney William Grant is representing the family of Jamie Seeger. Grant says they want answers on why Seeger did not have protection as a confidential informant for the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. To the left of Grant is Wendy Moore, Seeger's mother
The family of a female confidential informant says, they want answers. Last July, Jamie Seeger was found shot to death in her car in Crystal River.
The family of a female confidential informant says, they want answers. Last July, Jamie Seeger was found shot to death in her car in Crystal River.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:31:28 GMT
Starting next week traffic on the Davis Islands bridge and the Bayshore Boulevard ramp will likely become more congested due to intermittent lane closures.
Starting next week traffic on the Davis Islands bridge and the Bayshore Boulevard ramp will likely become more congested due to intermittent lane closures.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:51 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:46:51 GMT
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:09:00 GMT
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 3:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 19:01:00 GMT
It seems getting down on one knee with a ring is taking a backseat to some very creative marriage proposals. In recent years, men have conceptualized and executed marriage proposals that have raised
It seems getting down on one knee with a ring is taking a backseat to some very creative marriage proposals. In recent years, men have conceptualized and executed marriage proposals that have raised
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:50:46 GMT
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:00:43 GMT
Forecasters say a tropical depression crossing Mexico's Bay of Campeche is expected to become a tropical storm before making landfall in that country's Gulf Coast state of Veracruz.
Forecasters say a tropical depression crossing Mexico's Bay of Campeche is expected to become a tropical storm before making landfall in that country's Gulf Coast state of Veracruz.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:51 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Taylor Lazzara at the vigil on Davis Islands
Amanda Pierce (left) and Taylor Lazzara (right)
