FORD CITY, Pa. -- A community is coming together after a Ford City High School senior cheerleader was killed in a crash on Wednesday in Manor Township.

Shawna Petrosky, 17, was killed after crashing into a tractor-trailer on Route 66 near Pleasant View Drive. Armstrong County police said a large, 41,000-pound metal coil came off the tractor-trailer, killing Petrosky and injuring three others.

"I don't know anybody that wouldn't have a positive thing to say about her," said the mother of one of Petrosky's friends, Stacey Forringer.

Forringer's daughter is working with other friends and the school district to plan a memorial to honor Petrosky.

"They came to me and said they wanted to do this," said Principal Michael Cominos. "I said, 'Let's plan this together. I'll let you guys take the leadership role.'"

A makeshift memorial has since been removed from the site of the crash. Petrosky's family has placed a note there instead, asking the community respect their wishes.

Petrosky was driving the vehicle with her brother, Eric "Bubba" Petrosky, and cousin, Greg Heeter. Both are expected to recover from their injuries, as is the driver of the truck.

Police said it appears as if Shawna Petrosky, a senior at Ford City High School, traveled through a blinking red light and collided with the truck, causing the coil to roll off the truck's bed. After her vehicle flipped, the coil rolled onto the car.

Questions of the intersection have since risen as to what could have been done to prevent the crash.

"It’s such a tragedy it had to take a beautiful young lady for them to fix the light," said Forringer. "There should never be a flashing light here. There's too many cars coming from each direction at all times."

"If the township and borough decide they want to look into modifying this signal, PennDOT will certainly work with them," said Mark Hillwig of PennDOT.

At this time, PennDOT has temporarily changed the light to work continuously. Once police continue their investigation, it will be up to borough officials as to what will be done with the light.

In the meantime, a scholarship fun in Petrosky's name has been set up. Donations can be made to the following:

Armstrong County Community Foundation
160 N. McKean St.
Kittanning, PA 16201
724-548-5897

When mailing check, be sure to include Petrosky's name on the memo line.

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