Community Comes Together to Remember a Bright Young Life in Lexington County
Lexington County, S.C. — The small, tight-knit community of Lexington is grappling with the heartbreaking loss of 16-year-old Brittany Valencia, who tragically passed away in a car accident earlier this week. As families and friends come together to console one another, Brittany’s family is sharing touching memories of a vibrant teen who had already begun leaving her mark on the world.
Last Words and Lasting Memories
For Brittany’s older sister, Natalie Valencia, the heartache began with a phone call no one ever wants to receive. “They told me what happened, and I had just talked to her. The last time I spoke to her was at 8:17,” Natalie shared, her voice trembling with emotion. “And the wreck happened at 8:45.” It’s a timeline that has left Natalie in shock and grief, struggling to reconcile the ordinary details of a phone call with the tragic news that followed.
“I was devastated. I was confused. I thought maybe when they said Brittany was in an accident, I thought, ‘Accident? Okay, let me get my stuff.’ But then they said, ‘No, no, she didn’t make it,’” Natalie recalled, the pain of that moment still fresh in her heart.
A Promising Future
Brittany was a student at Irmo High School, where she was actively involved and admired by both peers and teachers alike. The school released a heartfelt statement, expressing their condolences and highlighting the profound impact Brittany had on many lives. “She was an outstanding young woman,” they stated, a sentiment echoed by all who knew her.
Not just a diligent student, Brittany had also recently started working at a local Food Lion in Columbia, where she was carving out her space in the community. The ambitious teen held dreams of becoming an OB-GYN, driven by her passion for helping others. “She was so headstrong. She wasn’t embarrassed to be herself,” Natalie reflected, emphasizing Brittany’s unique personality. “She would act out. She was headstrong, great, and caring—so, so caring. She knew everything and paid attention to everyone.”
The Night of the Accident
Tragically, Brittany was a passenger in a vehicle traveling along St. Andrews Road when the accident occurred. The car she was in collided with another vehicle coming from the opposite direction. While both drivers survived with non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the hospital, Brittany’s life was cut short, leaving loved ones in mourning.
As the Valencia family remembers their beloved daughter and sister, Natalie reflected on the budding young woman Brittany was becoming. “She was blossoming and growing and maturing. We were hanging out more, and I’m just going to miss all of it. She was a great person,” she shared, illustrating the immense void left in their lives.
A Call for Caution
In the wake of this tragedy, the Valencia family is urging others to exercise caution on the road, as they navigate this unimaginable loss. They want to remind everyone of the importance of being vigilant while driving and the potential dangers that can lurk even on seemingly ordinary nights.
The community of Lexington is coming together, grieving the loss of a girl who had so much to give, yet reminding themselves—and each other—of the love and joy Brittany brought to their lives. Her spirit will undoubtedly live on in the stories shared and the memories cherished by all who were fortunate enough to know her.
