Cheyllyn Collinsworth is seen in this image provided by the Centralia High School student newspaper, The Columns. Collinsworth was among the top 25 Students at Centralia High School honored at a scholarship luncheon earlier this month.
An 18-year-old woman who died on Wednesday night in the Ground Mound area after a head-on collision has been identified as Cheyllyn R. Collinsworth, of Centralia, according to Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock.
Collinsworth was recognized as one of the top 25 graduating students from Centralia High School at the Rob Fuller Scholarship Luncheon earlier this month. She would have graduated on June 9.
Centralia High School provided counseling support on Thursday and will continue to do so through its counseling office, stated Principal Josue Lowe in a pre-recorded call to parents on Thursday night.
“In discussing Cheyllyn with staff, it was clear that she was a very special young adult, extremely bright, capable and personal,” Lowe said. “She was quick to connect with both students and adults, with her gregarious manner and approach to others. Cheylynn always had a twinkle in her eye and was ready to laugh. Those of us who knew her well are going to miss her dearly.”
At about 11:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Collinsworth was southbound in a red Kia on Old Highway 99 at Oregon Trail Road when a northbound driver crossed the centerline and crashed into her car, according to The Olympian.
The driver, who was in his 20s, was injured and hospitalized.
The incident is under investigation as vehicular homicide. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t responded to requests for additional information.
Lowe said it’s difficult to accept the unexpected loss of such a young person. He encouraged parents and guardians to discuss Collinsworth’s death with their students in a way they found appropriate.
“Please be aware that students respond to tragedy or grief in different ways,” Lowe said. “... Recognize that all of us may need to just ‘be here’ for a few days, while we are all working through these different feelings.”
Coroner Warnock noted Collinsworth was the second person to be killed from Centralia in South Thurston County in one week.
James Beesley, 28, of Centralia, died after being hit by a car Saturday, May 13, on Old Highway 9. The incident was reported at 10:38 p.m. Saturday in the 20800 block of the highway near Rochester. An 18-year old woman driving on the highway hit the man. She was not at fault, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
