In a tight-knit North Ridgeville community, grief hangs heavy after police confirmed that 16-year-old Violet Gustafson was the teenager struck and killed Monday night. The incident unfolded around 6 p.m. near the intersection of Lorain Road, and the loss has left her family, classmates, and teachers reeling.
Violet, a junior at North Ridgeville High School and a carpenter-in-training at Lorain County Joint Vocational School, was on her work break from McDonald’s when tragedy struck. According to her mother, she was walking across the street to grab a coffee at Starbucks when she was hit by a car. First responders arrived quickly, attempting first aid at the scene, and she was rushed to St. John Westshore Hospital in Westlake — but by about 8 p.m., she was pronounced dead.
Law enforcement says the driver stayed at the scene and was uninjured. As of now, the North Ridgeville Police Department is still investigating, including whether speed played a role.
The next afternoon, Violet’s presence was felt deeply as hundreds of students, friends, family, and community members gathered at South Central Park for a balloon release and candlelight vigil. Tears, hugs, and whispered memories filled the air as people remembered her warmth.
One close family friend, William St. John, spoke softly but with conviction: “She lit up a room. Every room she lit up. You knew she was there … just a remarkable young woman.” Violet’s family has shared how driven she was — working two jobs, with a dream of becoming a carpenter someday. Her strong work ethic, her humor, and the genuine care she showed others are what people say made her shine so brightly.
The North Ridgeville City School District has expressed its sorrow in a heartfelt letter to students and staff. They said her death is “unimaginable” and noted how deeply it’s impacting their Ranger community. In response, they’ve made school counselors and crisis support available to anyone who needs someone to talk to.
To help cover her funeral and memorial costs, Violet’s mom, Corinne Gustafson, launched a GoFundMe, saying she lost her best friend — her daughter. As donations poured in from neighbors, classmates, and people who had never met Violet, the heartfelt words poured out: she was caring, out spoken, and so deeply loved.
Investigators continue to piece together what happened that evening, but for now, Violet’s loved ones are holding on to memories — the way she laughed, the thoughtful strength she carried, and the dreams she was building for her future. Her absence is already deeply felt, and her story is a powerful reminder of how one young life can leave a lasting impact.
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