FOREST PARK, Ohio — A 23-year-old Princeton City Schools employee is dead after a three-vehicle crash in Forest Park Friday night.
The Hamilton County Coroner's Office said Katie Lorenzo was killed in a crash at the intersection of Kemper Meadow Drive and Winton Road. Lorenzo was a bilingual career coach for the district's Career Navigator Program, the district said.
"We are heartbroken by this tragic news and we find comfort in knowing that she had a tremendous impact on her students, their families, her colleagues and our community," reads a social media post from Princeton City School District. "Katie was a shining example of a curious mind, always wanting to learn, improve and help others. She took time to build relationships with students, families and community businesses to help young people find a pathway to success. We will miss her greatly, and she will always be remembered as a true difference maker."
Hear how those who knew Katie are honoring her memory:
“It’s just hard to believe that someone so vibrant and full of life at a young age is gone,” said Elgin Card, Superintendent for Princeton City Schools.
Card was not only Lorenzo's colleague, but her former principal at Lakota West High School. He said that fact made her death hit even harder.
“I’ve had a couple of her teachers from high school text me and say, ‘You remember her smile?’ That’s the thing that seems to be coming out when I talk to people right now, is that smile, how she cared about people, how she wanted to help,” said Card. “And I think that’s something our world needs more of, and we’ve lost a great one in Katie.”
At Princeton City Schools, Lorenzo worked to bridge language and cultural barriers while providing career guidance to high school and Princeton Innovation Center students, interns and their families. Card says her passion was obvious.
“The kids and the community knew that she cared about them. That’s the biggest thing that I can say about her, that people understood who she was and that she really cared,” said Card.
According to the district, Lorenzo's fiancé, Uriel, sustained serious head injuries in the crash and remains in critical condition. Card says he hopes for the quick recovery of Uriel, and wants Lorenzo's family to know that they had a great daughter.
“We’re gonna keep her memory alive, we’re gonna do what we can to make sure that others remember her,” said Card.
HCSO did not confirm the time of the crash or provide information on any other injuries. The sheriff's office also did not provide any information on what may have led up to the crash.
WATCH: What we know about the crash
