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Sara Marie Smith, pictured in the 2009 Lodi High School yearbook. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)
Lodi High grad Sara Marie Smith killed in rollover crash on Lower Sacramento Road
An 18-year-old Lodi woman was killed early Sunday morning in a solo-vehicle accident on Lower Sacramento Road, according to Lodi police.
Sara Marie Smith, a passenger in a 2001 Honda SUV, was ejected through the window of a seat behind the driver, Cara Burcell, also 18, police said. Both of them graduated from Lodi High School in May.
Sara Marie Smith
"She had a dazzling personality, so much integrity, and the outpouring of love and emotion (Sunday) has been humbling," Marcoccia said.
The accident took place at 1:48 a.m. Sunday on southbound Lower Sacramento Road near Tokay Street. Based on the initial police investigation, Burcell, driving with three friends, drifted into the center divider and rolled over several times, according to Detective Eric Bradley.
Burcell and two other passengers were not injured, Bradley said. It appears that Smith was not wearing a seat belt, while the three who were not injured were wearing their seat belts, Bradley said.
While the cause of the collision remains under investigation, officers have determined that Burcell, the driver, was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Bradley said.
Smith registered herself as an organ donor, with several people ready to benefit, including a 3-year-old child, according to her aunt, Sibylle Marcoccia, of Acampo.
Smith had just begun classes at Cosumnes River College in South Sacramento and planned to transfer to University of California, San Diego and become a child psychologist, Marcoccia said.
Born July 20, 1991, in San Jose, Smith moved to Galt at the age of 7 and attended Valley Oaks Elementary and McCaffrey Middle schools. She moved to Lodi to begin her freshman year at Lodi High. She graduated with honors.
She worked at a clothing store called Justice for Girls in Stockton and was also a part-time medical biller in Elk Grove.
"She was very responsible, often volunteering to be the designated driver," Marcoccia said.
Smith loved music of all kinds and loved to dance and shop. She frequented Starbucks, with her beverage of choice being a venti iced tea lemonade — unsweetened.
Like most teenagers, Smith networked on MySpace, Facebook and by text messaging.
She is survived by her parents, Annette Smith, of Lodi, and Greg Smith, of Herald; her 10-year-old sister, Maryann Smith; and her grandparents, Adamo and Ralene Marcoccia, of San Jose, and Jim and Nancy of Penn Valley.
Funeral services are pending.
Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.
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myopinion wrote on Sep 5, 2009 7:50 PM:
myopinion wrote on Sep 5, 2009 7:33 PM:
Great American Trucker wrote on Sep 4, 2009 8:02 PM:
I wish more young people would embrace the importance of wearing a seat belt and driving safely. AND OBEYING TRAFFICE LAWS. Everyone wants to believe they are immortal. Everyone thinks they are special: being thrown out of an SUV and killed could NEVER happen to me!!!
To the family, I am sorry for your loss. I am old, have lost children and understand. Do take this opportunity to reach out to other young people and teach the importance of these things. "
LHS Student wrote on Sep 3, 2009 9:43 AM:
Emerald wrote on Sep 2, 2009 10:48 AM:
kdriesse wrote on Sep 1, 2009 7:10 PM:
We are so very sorry to hear about Sara. We can only imagine what you must be going through at this moment. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Tom and Kim Driesse "
Lodian wrote on Sep 1, 2009 1:53 PM:
PonyX wrote on Aug 31, 2009 11:54 PM:
vegan21 wrote on Aug 31, 2009 10:54 PM:
Rest in Peace Sara Marie Smith
I love you!! "
Lodi Native wrote on Aug 31, 2009 10:22 PM:
Gator wrote on Aug 31, 2009 9:11 PM:
I follow the plan God laid for me.
I saw His face, I heard His call,
I took His hand and left it all...
I could not stay another day,
To love, to laugh, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
And if my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss...
Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.
My life's been full, I've savoured much:
Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief—
Don't shorten yours with undue grief.
Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow. "
Margiep87 wrote on Aug 31, 2009 4:36 PM:
May she rest in peace.
R.I.p David Chavez
3/21/91 - 2/07/09
gone... But never forgotten. "
M2CW wrote on Aug 31, 2009 2:56 PM:
sooziesdad wrote on Aug 31, 2009 2:53 PM:
Alacante wrote on Aug 31, 2009 2:23 PM:
Sam's.mom wrote on Aug 31, 2009 1:07 PM:
Sue Schultz
Samantha's mom "
gail1 wrote on Aug 31, 2009 11:21 AM:
napa valley chef wrote on Aug 31, 2009 11:01 AM:
pmaxted wrote on Aug 31, 2009 10:50 AM:
dogs4you wrote on Aug 31, 2009 10:46 AM:
jramagic wrote on Aug 31, 2009 7:49 AM:
sandy.jones wrote on Aug 31, 2009 6:36 AM:
Sandy Jones
mother of Stephanie Jones "
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