A teenager from Red Wing, Minn., who graduated from high school just two weeks ago, was killed Thursday in a head-on crash involving a garbage truck in Goodhue County.
Samantha "Sammy" Kriese, 18, was an honor student and swimmer at Red Wing High School, where she was known for her kind heart, easygoing nature and putting classmates first.
She "was a real leader and a wonderful person in our school," said Red Wing High School Principal George Nemanich.
Kriese had graduated with distinction June 4 and was looking forward to starting her freshman year at the University of Minnesota, those who knew her said.
But her dreams were cut short at 2:48 p.m. Thursday when the pickup she was driving west on Flower Valley Road collided with an eastbound Waste Management garbage truck, the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office said.
Kriese died at the scene 2 miles southeast of Red Wing. The truck driver, Wade Dewall, 45, of Red Wing, was treated for minor injuries at the scene, the Sheriff's Office said.
Kriese started swimming as a child with the Red Wing Swim Club and made many friends through the sport.
"She was a promising athlete through her competitive years, always performing well for her team," a statement from the club said.
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