Woman Killed In Jefferson Crash Was A 'Gem With Brightest Smile'

JEFFERSON, NJ — Katelynn Campbell was a sweetheart, known for supporting her friends and her artistic talents. Her life was cut short this week, when the 25-year-old was killed in a crash in Jefferson Township.

"Kate was an absolute sweetheart, never heard her say a bad word about anyone. She will be missed," a friend wrote on a fundraiser set up to off-set funeral costs.

"She was a gem with the brightest of smiles," added another.

Born in Newton, Campbell was a Highland Lakes resident who worked at the Rockaway Olive Garden, an obituary said, adding, "She was an amazing artist and loved to draw."

Now, a family member is trying to make the financial burden on Katelynn's mother, Melissa, easier.

"My cousin Melissa lost her best friend, her daughter to a tragic accident Monday night. She wants to give her a burial she deserves but can not afford it financially. Please help to put her baby girl to rest in peace in a way she deserves," a family member wrote on GoFundMe. "Losing a child is the most unbearable thing someone can go through. I would like to try and take the financial burden off of her during this difficult time."

Campbell is survived by mom, Melissa Campbell, and her maternal grandparents, Bernard and Sandra Payne, an aunt, Stacy Schwind and her husband Larry, cousins John and Allyson, her boyfriend Eric Wilson and an extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins, and Keith McTeague, her obituary says.

Campbell was killed Monday night when she was involved in a three-car crash in Jefferson Township police said. Police say Campbell crossed over the line on Green Pond Road around 9:15 p.m. and hit another car head on. That car rolled off the road onto an embankment; Campbell's car also began to roll over and struck a second car head on, police said. Campbell's car caught fire, which was extinguished by a Jefferson police officer.

The crash remains under investigation, police said.

Image via GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner