He said the day after the accident, there was shock among the school’s faculty. Cindy would often come back to visit her former teachers, Mansfield noted. “She was just so sweet and kind, and had a smile constantly,” he said. “Her smile just warmed us all. We just loved having her as a student.”

Mansfield said she was hardworking and wanted to succeed.

The school is taking up a collection for the family. Mansfield said he hopes that the money can help the family with whatever costs they might experience as a result of this tragedy. Donations can be dropped off at the school. “It just lets the family know that our family is here to support them,” he said.

“I remember Cindy as a quiet and reserved student,” said Anthony Mignella, principal of Memorial Junior High School, which Garcia attended through eighth grade. “Whenever I saw Cindy in the hall, she always had a smile on her face. She truly was a charismatic, lovely girl who was always pleasant and delightful.”

Many of Elizabeth’s friends from elementary school are students at Memorial, and Mignella said that a lot of students were upset when they heard about the accident. “We are all deeply saddened by this tragic event,” he said. “I would like to extend my deepest condolences to her family during this difficult time.”

While police have yet to identify the 19-year-old driver, officials said that neither driver has been charged in the crash and have found no evidence of drugs or alcohol — though the investigation is still ongoing.