Who was Lauren Collins? Kentucky student, 18, tragically dies after loose truck tire smashes through windshield
BOONE COUNTY, KENTUCKY: Sunday, July 16, marked an agonizing day for the Marsh family in Kentucky, as their beloved daughter, Lauren Collins, died in a horrifying accident on Interstate 75. The incident occurred when a loose tire crashed through her windshield while she was driving her white, 2012 Buick LaCrosse in the southbound lanes of I-75. The Boone County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene at approximately 12:15 am, following reports of a single-vehicle collision at the 176.5-mile marker on southbound I-75.
Investigation underway
Authorities believe that another vehicle, potentially a dual pickup truck, traveling northbound on the interstate, suffered a sudden tire detachment, causing the tire to roll out of control over the concrete barrier. Unfortunately, the tire struck 18-year-old Lauren Collins' vehicle, resulting in life-threatening injuries. The Walton Fire Department promptly extricated her from the wreckage and rushed her to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Despite their efforts, Lauren succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
In the wake of the heartbreaking loss, Lauren's mother, Amy Marsh, opened up to People magazine about the accident and her grief. Devastated by the sudden death of her daughter, Amy shared her sentiments, saying, "Her service is on Saturday and we’re doing all the things you would never think you would have to do." She expressed her desire to find the driver responsible, even though she knew it wouldn't bring her daughter back. "Maybe the driver was unaware that their tire was loose, I don’t know," she added, struggling to comprehend the tragic events. “It’s just hard to wrap your brain around.”
Who was Lauren Collins?
Describing her daughter, Amy fondly remembered Lauren as a vibrant and free-spirited individual who marched to the beat of her own drum. "She lit up a room," Amy said, recalling Lauren's sense of humor and quirky personality. "Her personality was very goofy, very fun, always liked to have a good time, always joking around, kind of the life of the party." Lauren was a University of Kentucky student majoring in fashion merchandising, with dreams of becoming a buyer in New York City. She was admired by many and had a vast circle of friends, often being referred to as "my best friend" by those close to her. "Just a very creative, free-spirited person," the heartbroken mother remembered.
Tragically, Amy revealed that she had spoken to her daughter just 15 minutes before the accident. Lauren, who was working two jobs to save money for college, had finished her shift as a server at Buffalo Wild Wings and informed her mother that she was going out to meet a friend. “She came into my room at about 11:45 and said, ‘I’m going out to meet a friend.’ I said, ‘I wish you wouldn’t go. It’s late.’ She said, ‘Well, I’m off tomorrow.’"
Unfathomable grief
Little did they know that this would be their final conversation. “I saw her leaving on our nest camera at 12:00 a.m. and I believe the accident happened at 12:13,” Marsh said. The devastated mother expressed her anguish over the incident, recalling the moment she received the dreadful news. "I opened up my phone app and saw a police officer standing there," Amy said, explaining how she learned about the accident. Rushing to the University of Cincinnati hospital, she hoped for the best, only to have her worst fears confirmed upon arrival.
Amy Marsh is now tasked with the challenge of carrying on and raising Lauren's younger brother, Kyle, as she navigates through the grief of losing her beloved daughter. “I have a continued purpose because I have to pick up for him,” she said. In an effort to honor Lauren's memory and passion for the arts, a memorial fund in her name is being established. The fund will annually support students at Lauren's high school who are pursuing artistic endeavors in college. Lauren Collins' obituary lists the Lauren Collins Scholarship Fund as a recipient for those who wish to make memorials in her honor.
The investigation into the accident is being carried out by the Accident Reconstruction Team of the Boone County Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement officials are currently searching for the vehicle responsible for the tire loss, and anyone with information is urged to contact Sergeant Jeff Nagy at 859-334-8466.