FREEPORT, Texas – A memorial site is growing outside Brazosport High School in honor of senior Lessly Acuna, who was killed in an accident over the weekend.
Authorities said Acuna had just left her senior homecoming with three friends and was headed to IHOP in Lake Jackson about 10 miles away when she lost control of her Ford truck and crashed near Highway 288.
Officials said no one in the truck was wearing a seat belt, however, the other three 18-year-olds she was with walked away with minor injuries.
Friends and family said Acuna was always smiling, especially on the night of her senior homecoming.
"Homecoming is supposed to be something that is exciting, something fun, something you remember, good memories," said Lessly Acuna's aunt, Maria Acuna. "It leaves bad memories for the family this year."
She's now wiping away the tears, wishing they could bring her niece back.
"Lessly was a wonderful, young teenager," Maria Acuna said. "A very outgoing person, always happy, always smiling."
Classmate Serena Salazor hung out with Lessly Acuna on homecoming night and said she was smiling and dancing the whole time.
"I saw her walk out the door and that is the last time I saw her," said Salazor.
Friends and people in the community are leaving teddy bears, candles, flowers and other trinkets outside the front of the school in memory of Lessly Acuna.
"Every day at lunch she was always smiling. I never saw her sad, never saw her frown," sophomore Ariana Burton said. "It's going to be pretty hard not seeing her at the lunch table tomorrow next to me."
"I feel like I will still see her tomorrow, just smiling in the hallways," said Salazor.
Lessly Acuna's family is sending this message to young drivers, "Always have your seat belt on, whether you are with friends or alone. That would probably have helped save her life."
Classmates will hold a balloon release and prayer vigil at 8 a.m. Monday outside of Brazosport High School in memory of Lessly Acuna.
The superintendent of the Brazosport Independent School District issued the following statement:
"Today, our district is mourning the loss of one of our precious Brazosport High School students. She was involved in a fatal vehicle accident early Saturday morning. Our hearts are broken by this loss and we extend our deepest sympathy to family and friends."
The district will also have a crisis intervention team on campus Monday to provide counseling to any student who needs it.
The superintendent also encourages parents to keep an eye on their kids and talk to them about how to deal with the loss of Lessly Acuna.
The family is working to raise money for Lessly Acuna's funeral. Until money is raised, funeral arrangements are pending. You can click here to donate to Lessly's fund.