One of the three Concord-Carlisle High School seniors who died after a crash in the Florida Panhandle was on track to attend Syracuse University after graduation, Hannah Wasserman’s obituary read.
At around 9:28 p.m. on April 21, Wasserman, James McIntosh, Maisey O’Donnell and a third teenage girl were in an SUV driving west on Route 98 in Walton County, near Panama City Beach, Florida, when they were struck by a tractor-trailer trying to make a U-turn in a paved median, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report obtained by MassLive.
The SUV crossed the median and the highway’s eastbound side before stopping along the woodline, police said. Wasserman and McIntosh died, while O’Donnell later died at the hospital, Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter said in a statement obtained by WCVB-TV. The third teenage girl was last reported in critical condition.
Wasserman was born on May 17, 2007, in Boston, her obituary read. She attended Concord Public Schools since kindergarten, when she went to Willard Elementary School, and enjoyed her time with friends and teachers.
During the first semester of her senior year, Wasserman took part in the Rivers and Revolutions program, “where Hannah found immense joy and belonging, new connections to learning, and increased confidence in the student and person that she was,” her family wrote.
Wasserman loved history, the presidency and current affairs, her family continued. For over 13 years, she took part in dance, including ballet, lyrical, contemporary, tap and hip hop in the studio and competitively.
“This year, Hannah served as a teaching assistant for the younger dancers, a job she cherished,” her obituary read.
Wasserman was also a camper, volunteer counselor and, recently, a lifeguard with the Concord Recreation Department, her family wrote. It was work she loved, with the “joy and sense of belonging Hannah felt as a young camper inspired her to give back to the community with the next generation,” her family continued.
“Hannah loved live music and was always up for a concert,” her obituary read. “Riding around and listening to music with friends was a favorite, and you could always count on her to have a playlist ready. She was a talented writer who enjoyed writing poetry. Hannah loved the beach, sunsets, and adventures with family and friends.”
She was “a very loving and kind daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend,” according to her family. “She was true to herself and showed her love openly. Hannah’s room is filled with pictures of friends and family, including a Taylor Swift quote from ‘New Year’s Day’ that captures her spirit: ‘Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you.’”
Hannah is survived by her parents, Charlie and Jennifer Wasserman; her brothers, Henry and Ben; her maternal grandparents, Marcia and Steve Sabadosa; several aunts, uncles and cousins. Wasserman is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Max and Lucille Wasserman.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
In the days after the three teenagers died, Concord police opened an investigation into a fake GoFundMe campaign supposedly set up to raise funds for Wasserman’s funeral.
“At GoFundMe, being a safe and trusted place to give and receive help is our top priority and we are continuing to monitor the platform for any fundraisers related to this incident,” a statement from a GoFundMe spokesperson read.