PALM COAST, Fla. – Residents in Palm Coast are demanding for city and state leaders to make streets safer so that a fatal accident doesn't happen again.
Michelle Taylor, 16, was killed Thursday night when she was struck while walking in Palm Coast, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
"She lights up the world," mother Beverly Taylor said. "She loved everyone. She loved life, she loved music, she loved drama."
Taylor also said her daughter enjoyed walking with her soon-to-be 21-year-old sister-in-law, Elizabeth Ann Sherman. Sherman was with Michelle Taylor Thursday night and suffered serious injuries.
"They did it three nights a week for exercise. They did it for years," Beverly Taylor said.
Until Thursday night, when Beverly Taylor said her husband saw flashing lights outside their house and approached an officer.
"He said two pedestrians have been hit. So, he runs back into the house and he says to me, 'Call Michelle on her cellphone.' I called and she didn't answer, so we knew right then and there, it was Michelle," Beverly Taylor said.
Since then, family and friends created a memorial of flowers and stuffed animals near the crash site. They also started a petition to urge local and state leaders to build sidewalks and put up street and traffic lights around town.
"People use this place as their own drag strip at night. Something's got to be done, and unfortunately, it's going to take this to do it," father Mike Taylor said.
The family said they're so grateful to the community for stepping up and taking action, while still remembering their young daughter.
"This should never happen to any child, any person, ever. Such a tragic incident that we can't ever get our daughter back, but we can only pray and hope that no other family has to ever endure what we're going through," Beverly Taylor said.
A vigil for Michelle will be held at 8:30 p.m. Monday at the crash site. The public is welcomed to attend.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Taylor and a vigil for the teen is planned for Monday night. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday at Palm Coast United Methodist Church. The memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the same church.