Teen killed in Nash County wreck

State troopers said Caroline Hathaway lost control of a 2000 Isuzu SUV on Sandy Cross Road, near Baker Road, about 5 miles south of Nashville Saturday evening. The SUV slid off the left side of the road, struck a ditch, then became airborne before hitting a tree.

Hathaway, who was not wearing her seat belt, was flung from the SUV at some point, and the vehicle landed on top of her, troopers said. She died of her injuries.

Her two passengers, Amber Hunter, 16, and Caroline Brown, 15, had only minor injuries, troopers said. Hunter, who was in the front seat, was wearing a seat belt. Brown, sitting in back, was not.

Pastor Clifford Lewin of Wilson Praise And Worship was helping Hathaway's family remember her Sunday. "It's been really rough for them," he said. "They're a really loved family, so they've got a lot of support, a lot of friends."

Lewin said Hathaway, a junior at Southern Nash High School, was active in the church youth group.

Troopers said that Hathaway was going the posted speed limit of 55 mph, but that exceeded a safe speed for the conditions at the time. The road surface was wet, and it was snowing.

Hathaway's friends did not want to give their names Sunday, but they issued this statement: