17-year-old Needham girl killed in Vermont crash

A 17-year-old girl from Massachusetts was killed in a crash in Shrewsbury, Vermont, on Sunday, officials say.

According to a statement from Vermont State Police, troopers were notified at 4:06 a.m. of an accident on Cold River Road near Upper Cold River Road.

An investigation revealed that Macy Piersiak, of Needham, failed to stay in her lane while driving south on Cold River Road, crossing the center lines, police said.

Piersiak's vehicle then left the roadway and crashed “head-on” into a guardrail and a tree, the statement said.

Piersiak, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

The crash is still under investigation.

“Every family friend, teammate, classmate or one of her many relatives felt a strong connection to Macy, who was wise beyond her years,” Piersiak’s obituary reads. “She was a force to be reckoned with, an overwhelming presence who brought silliness and joy to all of us, entertaining us and making us laugh even after she was gone.”

The family requests donations be made to the Macy Piersiak KUA Scholarship Fund in her honor.

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Lindsay Shachnow covers general assignment news for Boston.com, covering breaking news, crime and politics across New England.

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