HP: Driver was speeding, with no lights on, when he hit car and killed middle schooler

A middle schooler about to turn 13 died Tuesday night in a crash in Youngsville, and another young person was injured.

Cedar Creek Middle School Principal Zachary Richards sent a letter to the school community about the death of 7th grader Madison Camptella, 12.

Madison's aunt said she was in the car with her boyfriend, Ray Evans, and his mother, Michelle. None of the three were wearing seatbelts, the Highway Patrol said.

"She was really growing into a new person. She was in the middle of being a child and becoming a teenager," aunt Jenna Camptella told WRAL News. She started a GoFundMe to help Madison's parents deal with her loss.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, a 16-year-old driving north on U.S. Highway 1 at about 10 p.m., speeding and without his headlights on when the car carrying Madison made a left turn in front of him.

"She was funny. She liked to make TikToks," Jenna Camptella said of her niece. "She always made every person in the room laugh."

Cousin Hanna Camptella remembered Madison's heart of gold.

"She was a loving and kind person, and that's really really rare to find today."

The family says they are still processing the loss.

"You never can prepare for something like this to happen," Jenna Camptella said.

Cedar Creek Middle School had extra counselors on hand to support students mourning Madison.