Family, friends struggle to cope with loss of teen killed in crash

O'HARA TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Police said a driver who slammed into another car and killed a teenage driver on Route 28 over the weekend may have been driving under the influence.

State police said Rikki Fleming, 18, of Etna, died when her car was hit from behind, went off the road and rolled over in the northbound lanes near the Highland Park Bridge Saturday night.

Investigators said Jared Shillinger, 28, was behind the wheel of the other car. According to a news release, police said "signs of intoxication were observed on Schillinger and that charges are pending on lab results." Shillinger and his two passengers were not hurt.

“The man that killed her is fine and walking around. I feel so sad. The feeling of losing a sibling is so overwhelming. I can’t describe the uncontrollable grief and sadness. My entire body hurts so bad,” Fleming’s sister, Heather Fleming-Stebler, said.

Fleming’s brother, Cody, said Monday that he wanted to thank everyone who’s sent support, condolences and messages.

Kayla Martin, who has been friends with Fleming since elementary school, told Channel 11’s Brandon Hudson what she’ll miss most about Fleming.

“Her nice personality. She was always being a good friend and was always there for me,” Martin said.

Martin said she heard about the crash before she went to bed Saturday night, but found out Fleming was involved on Sunday.

“I was pretty sad last night and today,” Martin said.

State police said they’re waiting on Shillinger’s blood sample results to see if charges will be filed.

WPXI