Queen Creek community mourning the loss of Ava Mericle, 15-years old, killed in a car crash

February 25, 2021

QUEEN CREEK, AZ  – Devastation and heartbreak consume the Casteel High School community after a 15-year-old student died in a car crash on Feb. 16 on her way to school.

“Of course, I’m going to miss her,” said Ava Mericle’s friend, Noah Mayer.

“Ava always had a smile on her face,” said Carly Burton, Mericle’s best friend. “Ava always had a smile on her face,” said Carly Burton, Mericle’s best friend.

“Even though somewhere down the road, I might find someone else,” said Hoewing. “No one will ever replace that position she had.”

n Feb. 16, family friends told Arizona’s Family that Mericle was in the passenger seat with her brother behind the wheel driving to Casteel High School. Family friends said she was less than a mile away from the school when the crash happened. The brother walked away with injuries but Mericle later died in the hospital. She was only 15 years old. “It hurts,” said Hoewing.

Mericle’s friends and classmates will be at Casteel High School on Friday, mourning together with posters.  A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with Mericle’s family and their medical bills.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Ava Mericle over this tragic loss.

Source: 3TV/CBS 5