A love story came to a tragic end in Georgia after a 24-year-old woman was killed in a horrific seven-car pileup last month — just before her boyfriend reportedly planned to propose and days before her birthday.
McKayla Harshaw was killed in the afternoon wreck while her boyfriend Andrew Perez was driving on I-75 in Atlanta and she sat in the passenger seat on Sept. 27
Georgia State Troopers said the deadly multi-car crash was ignited when two utility trucks crashed into a third van, which collided with the couple’s Toyota Corolla, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Harshaw was killed when the couple’s car flipped during the impact.
Seven vehicles were involved and six other people were injured in the accident that shut down the highway for hours.
Harshaw was the only person killed in the devastating crash.
Perez is fighting for his life after he suffered a fractured skull and a broken neck and back, according to Harshaw’s family.
Hawshaw’s mother Melissa Gunther revealed she learned from Perez’s brother that his sibling was getting ready to propose to Harshaw before the horrific crash.
Harshaw’s death came just four days before her 25th birthday.
“My dearest daughter, McKayla Harshaw, you should have been 25 today, but I realized this afternoon, that you will forever be 24. We miss your smile and you spunky personality,” Gunther wrote on Facebook. “We miss you so much. Happy 25th Birthday to my beautiful girl.”
Harshaw worked as a nanny, according to her online obituary.
Harshaw was described as a “radiant light in the world” who was an avid hiker, climber and “loved to model” in her hometown of Marietta, Ga.
“McKayla will be remembered as a selfless beacon of light who touched hundreds of lives, inspiring others to overcome life’s challenges,” the obituary read.
Gunther added that her daughter didn’t have health insurance and started a GoFundMe to help the family pay for funeral expenses. As of this report, the fundraiser has collected nearly $18,000 in donations out of its goal of $20,000.
Harshaw is survived by her parents, brother and grandparents. A funeral service is set to be held Oct. 5.
