Family in Forsyth, Mo., Grieves After Teen Girl Killed in Late-Night Crash

Tragic Car Accident Claims Life of 14-Year-Old in Missouri

A family in Forsyth, Missouri, is grappling with the heartbreaking loss of their 14-year-old daughter, who was involved in a severe car accident while traveling with two other teenagers near Hollister. The incident occurred on State Highway 165, just south of Hollister, shortly after 11 p.m. on Monday. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash resulted in the death of the girl and injuries to the other two teens.

The driver of the vehicle, a 16-year-old, failed to navigate a curve on the road, causing the car to veer off the left side and into an embankment. The area was densely wooded, requiring first responders to cut through trees to reach the vehicle. The driver was transported to a Springfield hospital with serious injuries, while another girl, 15 years old, suffered minor injuries. Unfortunately, 14-year-old Mila McDonald did not survive the accident.

Mila’s mother, Justine McDonald, received a call from the mother of one of Mila’s friends, informing her that her daughter was trapped and unconscious. Shortly after, she received the devastating news that Mila had passed away. McDonald described the emotional turmoil she experienced, saying, “I was just trying to remain calm in the moment, but then the flood of emotions began to come and comes in waves, and the anger.”

McDonald and others arrived at the scene alongside first responders, who worked tirelessly to free the victims from the wreckage. She explained that Mila was the last person removed from the vehicle, likely due to triage protocols. “We just stood there with. It was surreal with all the lights going,” she recalled.

For McDonald, the memories of Mila will always be cherished. “Mila was beautiful,” she said. “She had a bright energy exuding from her at all times. She was sweet and mean at the same time, and she loved her friends more than anything in the world. She’ll be missed by her family.”

Mila was passionate about sports, particularly volleyball, and was set to begin her first year at Forsyth High School. McDonald reflected on how she will always remember her daughter as the 14-year-old girl she was. “I’ll always look back at my daughter as just a 14-year-old,” she said. “And I look forward to seeing her friends grow up and mature and get their license and have babies and all that stuff. But unfortunately, I’ll always look back and see my daughter as a 14-year-old, and I won’t get to experience those things.”

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Mila was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the accident. This came as a shock to McDonald, as Mila typically wore her seatbelt. “I know the importance of seat belt safety,” she said. “I preach it every time I get in the seat belt. I wear my seat belt. My children do. The fact she wasn’t wearing her seat belt blows my mind, and it sickens me and it saddens me.”

Despite the tragedy, McDonald expressed gratitude for the support from her family and friends. “It doesn’t make any of this better, but it makes me feel better knowing that people love her the way I do, and they saw what I saw in her, and her life won’t be in vain,” she said.

The community continues to mourn the loss of Mila, whose bright spirit and love for her friends will be deeply missed. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and the lasting impact one life can have on those around them.