Police investigating crash that killed 17-year-old Haverhill native

HAVERHILL, Mass. — A teenage girl died Monday night after a serious two-car crash in Haverhill, according to officials.

Officers responded to the area of Crystal and Liberty streets for a report of a crash at around 9 p.m. and found the 17-year-old, identified as Haverhill native Jordan Rankin, suffering from critical injuries, according to the Haverhill Police Department.

A 19-year-old man was the other driver in the crash, and suffered minor injuries.

Rankin was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital before being taken by helicopter to a Boston hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Haverhill Public Schools put out a statement on Facebook following the tragedy, which says a vigil will be planned for Rankin later in the week. Grief counselors were on site at Haverhill High School on Tuesday, where Rankin was a senior.

"She was a really sweet girl and did not have a single mean bone in her body," Rankin's friend Kelsey Paris said. "When I woke up to the new"s this morning, the first thing I thought was just this can’t be real. I just couldn't believe it.

News spread throughout the community, with neighbors like Corey Lombardi paying their respects at the scene. Flowers were left and prayers were said for the popular Haverhill High School senior.

"I just heard about the news while I was at work from my mom, and it just really sucks," Lombardi said. "It’s just really terrible. She was just a really laid-back kid, the sweetest girl you’ll ever meet in your life, and it’s just really unfortunate."

Paris remembered the victim fondly, saying she was always there for support on any bad days.

"I remember this one specific day, I was having a really bad day, and I walked into class, and she was the only person that actually talked to me and asked me how I was doing," Paris said. "I send all my love and my prayers to them."

Police say no charges have been filed, and the school's superintendent urged students to head to school, even if they don't feel like going to class, with grief counselors and support available.

A memorial is planned for later this week.

State and local police are continuing their investigation of the crash.

Cox Media Group