Friends gather at crash site to remember teens who were killed - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Friends gather at crash site to remember teens who were killed

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By Curtis McCloud - bio | email

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SMITHS STATION, AL (WTVM) -

After gaining permission from the landowner, friends and family gathered Wednesday to take down the tree that was a constant reminder of the spot where two east Alabama teenage girls died in a single-car accident Sunday night. 

Balloons, cards, and crosses were placed at the spot where Ashley Arrowsmith and Carlie Lloyd lost their lives on Flournoy Road in Salem.

Carlie had the last race with her horse, Pep, on Saturday night. The next day, her life would end just a few miles from her home.  "So many people loved and will miss Carlie, because she was such an outgoing, outspoken, fun-loving, young, beautiful girl," Sarah Hunter said. 

Smith Station Freshman Center Principal, Jason Wright, said Ashley was a very well-rounded student. "She was a very solid academic student, who had a lot of opportunities for social interactions and a lot of friends." 

Coroner Arthur Sumbry told News Leader 9 both girls died from blunt force trauma to the head after their truck went off the road, overturned, and struck a tree.

Carlie was laid to rest Wednesday afternoon. After the funeral service, friends came out to lay flowers and cards at the tree that her truck plowed into. 

"She loved riding horses more than anything.  She loved to ride her horse Pep and go barrel riding on the weekends," Hunter said. 

Grief counselors were on hand all week to help students cope with their loss.  "There were a lot of tears and students walking the hallways... she had a number of friends here," Wright said. 

Though Ashley and Carlie are gone, friends said they try not to be sad because it's not what either of the girls would have wanted. 

"She's got a huge heart. She doesn't want us to cry over her. She knows that we care, and we love her, she just wants us to be strong," said Hunter about Carlie. 

A memorial barrel race is planned in their honor.  The event is set for June 23 in Phenix City in the same location as the Bratton Automotive Rodeo.  Money raised from the event will go to help the families of both girls with funeral expenses.

Funeral services for Ashley will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. in Smiths Station at Philadelphia Baptist Church. 

Copyright 2012 WTVM. All rights reserved.

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Carlie and Ashley SIDEBAR

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Friends and family are remembering Carlie and Ashley who were killed Sunday night in a one-vehicle accident. More Photos More>>

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