Milford teen killed in crash remembered as bright, funny college student who loved to dance
Jackie Gray, a Quinnipiac student, killed in car crash in Milford Sunday night.
Jackie Gray, the Milford teen who died after sustaining traumatic injuries in a crash Sunday night, was a bright college student who always had a smile on her face, according to those who knew her.
Gray, 19, was one of six teens who piled into a Ford Explorer after finishing a shift at JJ’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Upton Sunday evening. On the way to see Milford’s fireworks display, the Ford’s driver lost control of the vehicle, and along with four other passengers—including Gray’s brother, Ryan— jumped from the vehicle before it collided with a utility pole and parked car just a few doors down from Gray’s Congress Street home. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash, but said the driver believed the brakes weren’t working.
It’s unclear to authorities as to whether Gray, who was the only passenger to sustain traumatic injuries, was thrown from the vehicle when it hit the pole or jumped prior to the collision along with the others. She was transported to UMass Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.
A dean’s list student, Gray finished her freshman year at Quinnipiac University just a few months ago. She studied psychology and performed with the Quinnipiac Ice Cats, the school’s dance team.
“There are no words to adequately express our sympathy to Jacqueline’s family and friends,” Monique R. Drucker, Quinnipiac’s vice president and dean of students, said in a statement.
Her teammates remembered her with a photo on Twitter.
Our hearts our broken as we mourn the loss of one of our own. We love you, Jackie. #PrayForJackie pic.twitter.com/StpEWUMWlb
— Quinnipiac IceCats (@QU_IceCats) July 4, 2016
Gray started working at JJ’s last April, and quickly became a part of the establishment’s close-knit community, according to The Boston Globe. One of her coworkers, Taylor Nasuti, remembered her friend as a cheerful person who loved to dance.
“We’re like a family there,” the 16-year-old Nasuti told the Globe. “She was very funny. She had a big smile. She was just a good person overall.”
The shop was closed on Monday and planned to close early Tuesday evening so that employees could attend two vigils held for Gray — one at 6:45 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, and another at 8:15 p.m. held at Milford High School, according to Milford police.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our family members, Jackie Gray,” JJ’s Ice Cream Shoppe said in a Facebook statement Monday. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jackie’s parents, Ron and Sandy, and her brother Ryan, who is also a member of the JJ’s crew. Needless to say, our entire crew is distraught, including the four other crew members who were involved in the crash and are recovering from their various injuries. If you could please keep Jackie’s family and the JJ’s staff in your thoughts and prayers, we would be extremely appreciative. We miss you Jax. May you rest in peace.”
Milford Police Department Deputy Chief James Heron told the Globe that crashes caused by mechanical failures are rare, but the absence of skid marks on the road may indicate that the driver couldn’t engage the vehicle’s brakes.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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