Mystery as Utah girl, 16, is ran over and killed by semi-truck on busy highway
Jessica Santiago, of St. George, was walking along Interstate 15 early Friday all by herself when she was mowed down by the large truck around 6.30am, police said.
At the time of the horrible incident, no other vehicle was found nearby, suggesting that Jessica was on foot, Lt. Cameron Roden with the Utah Highway Patrol told St. George News.
The unidentified truck driver was not injured in the crash, Roden added.
It remains unclear why the teenager ended up on the freeway and why she was walking in the southbound lanes, but according to her brother, she 'stepped out of the home' the night before while her family slept.
When they woke in the morning, Jessica was nowhere to be found so her concerned loved ones reported her missing to the police before hearing of the crash, her brother, Omar Santiago, told the outlet.
Omar said he and the rest of the family do not know why his younger sister would have left the house, especially after everyone was asleep for the night.
'All we know is that, when we woke up, she wasn't home. We don't know how she got on that side of the freeway or what happened exactly.
'We just have as many questions as the investigators do. We're unsure how everything unraveled.'
Omar said his late sister 'was not suicidal' and did not 'leave a note or anything' behind.
'She was a light in our home who will be dearly missed,' he said, adding that Jessica was 'a hard worker who cared about all of those around her.'
A family member also created a GoFundMe page to help support her grieving family during this time.
'Jessica was a bright, kind, and beautiful soul who brought joy and light to everyone who knew her,' the organizer wrote.
'Whether it was her infectious laughter, her gentle spirit, or her passion for music, art, and most of all, helping others. Jessica left a lasting impact on all our lives.'
'She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a beacon of hope. Her time with us, though far too short, was filled with love, compassion, and unforgettable memories.'
As of Wednesday afternoon, more than $4,500 was raised.
A public funeral mass is set to be held Saturday at St. George Catholic Church before Jessica's remains are sent to a final resting place in Mexico.
Another service will be held for her on June 16, according to the donation page.
DailyMail.com contacted the Utah Highway Patrol for more information on the investigation.
Soon after the crash, the road was shut down for a bit before authorities let vehicles back on.
While they slowly re-opened the highway, a second crash took place involving three vehicles, per the outlet.
Those involved suffered several minor injuries. One person had to be transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation, according to authorities.
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