Katelyn Ray, a teenager, lost her life in a horrific accident around 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday when her car collided with a South Panola School bus on Highway 15 near Highway 6 in Panola County, Mississippi.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol confirmed Katelyn Ray’s identity. When the accident happened, she was en route to pick up her older sister from work.

Shelia Ray, Katelyn’s mother, spoke about their final chat and expressed her love and affection.

When Katelyn failed to arrive at her sister’s workplace by 7:30 a.m., the family became concerned. Courtney Pettit, Katelyn’s sister, posted a desperate need for information on Facebook.

When the highway patrol notified the family of the accident, their search was over. Two months prior, Katelyn, a recent GED candidate at the WIN Job Center, had just obtained her driver’s license. The Mississippi Highway Patrol is still conducting an investigation, and the people of Panola County are deeply grieving her loss.