WAYCROSS, Ga. — It was a tragic weekend in Waycross as five people are dead after three different incidents.
Ware County Schools confirmed former students were killed in two unrelated car crashes and a suicide.
A pink bow was attached to the marquee at the front of Midway Elementary School on Monday in honor of Hadleigh Lee. Pink was the third grader’s favorite color.
The principal said it was a tough day for students and staff alike when they walked in only to find Lee's empty desk.
“She was small in stature, but big in personality," said Midway Elementary School Principal Brandi Todd. "She played big, she learned big, she just had a smile that was very, very captivating to everyone.”
Todd said Lee managed to have a big impact on her peers since coming to the school two years ago.
Just last week, she led the entire school in push-ups and sit-ups during a fitness test.
Lee was killed in a car crash while her family was leaving a rodeo in Waycross over the weekend.
“We were devastated and brokenhearted," said Todd. "We had some trials today with some teachers and some students, but we’ve worked through those.”
According to a report from Georgia State Patrol, troopers were called out when a driver hit another car and tried to speed away from the scene.
That driver ran a red light, smashing into Lee’s car, killing the girl and a three-month-old.
Troopers were also called to another deadly crash on the other side of Ware County that took the lives of two men, RJ Merritt and Ronnie Adams.
The community is grieving, and First Coast News Crime and Safety Expert Mark Baughman points out that deadly weekends like this take a toll on first responders, too.
“It’s ok to shed some tears," said Baughman. "Even the community sees this. It lets them know we’re human. It could have just as easily happened to one of our loved ones or family members.”
Baughman said he’s noticed more departments offering assistance programs and chaplains, and more nonprofits starting up to help officers manage their trauma.
Todd said the school family will do its part to help each other through the tragedy.
“Pray for our school, the community and pray for her family," said Todd.
Midway Elementary had a booth set up in honor of Lee at an art show Monday night where folks could come by to share some memories.