Florida

College Athlete From Hialeah Gardens Killed in SW Florida Car Crash

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  • Acosta, a graduate of Mater Academy Charter High School in 2016, was a junior at the university majoring in Health Science.

Students, faculty and friends are remembering a Hialeah Gardens native who was killed Wednesday in a car crash near her Southwest Florida college.

Florida Highway Patrol officials say 20-year-old Emily Acosta – a student athlete at Ava Maria University – was killed Wednesday afternoon when she lost control of the 2012 Honda Civic she was driving in Collier County and went into the opposite lanes of traffic, where the vehicle was struck by a semi-truck.

A passenger in the car with Acosta was injured while the driver of the truck was not hurt.

Acosta, a graduate of Mater Academy Charter High School in 2016, was a junior at the university majoring in Health Science and was a member of the school’s basketball and softball teams – playing in the school’s most recent basketball game on Tuesday night.

“Our shock and sorrow over the loss of Emily are beyond words. Emily’s smile lit up the lives of so many, from her former basketball and softball teammates, to her many friends privileged to know her,” said the school’s President, Jim Towey.

“She deeply cared about those around her and always went out of her way to make people feel loved. She had a quick witted sense of humor, and such a contagious spirit of joy in her heart,” added basketball coach Megan Becker.

A memorial service was held Wednesday night and a mass at the Catholic school was held Thursday morning.

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