Miss Teen USA Pageant Queen, 18, Dies in Florida Car Crash: ‘A Beacon of Light’

Miss Teen USA Pageant Queen, 18, Dies in Florida Car Crash: ‘A Beacon of Light’

Kadance Fredericksen. Photo: Kadance Fredericksen/Instagram

Kadance Fredericksen, who currently held the Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA title, has died in a car crash in Florida at age 18 “Our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul – one who was a true light in this world,” the Miss Florida USA organization said in a tribute The teen was killed in a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer in Santa Rose County on Monday, Feb. 17

A Miss Teen USA pageant queen and celebrated up-and-coming humanitarian died this week in a car crash in Florida, according to her family and multiple news outlets. She was 18.

On Monday, Feb. 17, Kadance Fredericksen — who was the Miss Okaloosa County Teen representative at the 2024 Miss Florida Teen USA pageant — was killed when her vehicle crashed into a tractor-trailer in Santa Rosa County at around 1:30 p.m. local time, local CBS affiliate WKRG, ABC affiliate WEAR and The Northwest Florida Daily News reported.

A Florida Highway Patrol news release obtained by PEOPLE confirmed an 18-year-old female, whom they did not identify by name, died in a crash at State Road 4 and Hurricane Lake Road.

According to authorities, “for unknown reasons” the vehicle Fredericksen was driving “crossed the center lane and entered the eastbound lane,” where it struck the tractor-trailer.

Authorities said the other driver was a 56-year-old male from Milton who suffered minor injuries.

“We are still in the early stages of the investigation and ask that we all take a moment for this family as well as others who have lost a loved one to a traffic crash,” authorities said in a statement.

View of the stage at the 73rd Annual Miss Teen USA Pageant.Kevin Winter/Getty

Fredericksen, who was a senior at Baker School, had just received nine college acceptances and was planning a career helping animals as a veterinarian, her family told WKRG.

The Miss Florida USA Instagram account also confirmed Fredericksen’s death, writing in a tribute alongside multiple photos: “It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the passing of one of our beloved delegates, Kadance Fredericksen.”

“Our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul – one who was a true light in this world. She was ambitious, driven, kind, and a leader among her pageant sisters,” the post continued.

“In times of grief, we are reminded to love one another and cherish each day as a gift. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all who are mourning this devastating loss. May we honor her memory by carrying forward the light she so effortlessly shared with the world and our Florida pageant community,” the message, signed by the Miss Florida and Miss Florida USA communities, added.

“Forever our Queen 🙏🕊️.”

The teen’s mom, Lisa, described her as “the light” of she and her husband’s lives to WEAR.

Fredericksen was also the founder of Kada’s Promise, a program that she began in 2017 to provide teddy bears and blankets to children in foster care, homeless shelters, abuse shelters and hospitals, per the group’s website.

Fredericksen’s pageant coach, Michelle Watts, was among those mourning her, saying, “Even though she passed away at 18 years old, literally, her life story and her life start song still sings,” according to WKRG.

“She is going to have such a legacy behind her,” Watts added.

The Baker School, where Fredericksen was a student, called her an “exceptional young woman” in a Facebook post on Tuesday, writing, “Kadance was a beacon of light in our community, known for her compassion, tireless advocacy for children in need, and unwavering dedication to making a difference,” calling it a “heartbreaking time.”

A GoFundMe has been established to help her family continue her “impactful legacy” of helping others through Kada’s Promise.