Dad: Batavia crash victim wanted to make a difference
Batavia High School senior Lynlee Gilbert had a soft, sensitive soul, was kind and compassionate, and had “gobs of empathy,” according to her father.
Her friends came to her for advice about problems, and she intended to get a doctorate in psychology so she could help children of addicts.
Lynlee won't get to do that, having died in a car crash near Elburn Monday night. But even in death she still helped others, with the donation of corneas, skin and bones to the Gifts of Hope organ donation network. It echoed a post on her Formspring social network page made five months ago, where she said she would even be willing to do a living donation.
“She wanted to make a difference,” said her father, Jeff Gilbert. “She was a really good kid. ... She practiced the principles Christ taught us.”
Lynlee, 17, worked at the Calvin Klein store at the outlet mall in Aurora, and was involved in youth groups at Community Christian Church in Naperville. Her family plans to have her funeral at Community Christian, probably on Friday, Gilbert said. He wants the funeral done by then so that it “doesn't put a dark cloud” over Batavia's prom Saturday night.
The job at the store was her first. Gilbert said Lynlee got off work at 7:30 p.m. Monday, and he suspects she was just out for a fun drive with friend Sarah Ginter when the crash happened. Sarah and Lynlee had been friends since sixth grade, Gilbert said. The 1989 Dodge Dynasty Lynlee was driving had been a Christmas 2010 gift from her parents.
Crash reconstruction specialists continued Tuesday to try to determine what caused the crash.
Because of her injuries, Kane County sheriff's deputies have been unable to interview survivor Ginter, Lt. Pat Gengler said Tuesday afternoon. He said Ginter, 18, of Batavia, is in critical condition at Delnor Hospital in Geneva. There were no witnesses to the crash, Gengler said.
A Facebook page titled “Sarah Ginter's Update Page” reported that she had broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a lacerated spleen and brain swelling. It is not known who set up the page or is posting the information.
Both girls were set to graduate June 3. Gilbert had already started taking classes at Waubonsee Community College, her father said.
“She was very well-respected by her teachers,” Batavia School District 101 Associate Superintendent Greg Romaneck said.
The school brought in a crisis team of counselors to speak with students and teachers who requested help.
The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. on Green Road near Clover Hill Road. Sheriff's police said the car left the roadway near a curve, crossed over the southbound lane and went off the road on the west side of Green. It then hit a tree in a wooded area south of Hughes Road.
At least one of the girls was wearing a seat belt, Gengler said. The car did not have air bags.
Gengler said the investigation into the crash is continuing, adding it is unclear at this time if drugs, alcohol or distractions played a role in the accident.
The Kane County Office of Emergency Management and the Batavia Police Department assisted at the scene of the accident.
Gilbert, grateful for the outpouring of sympathy and support his family has received, asked people to pray for Sarah and the Ginter family.
“God has another angel in heaven,” he said of Lynlee. “Unfortunately, he got my angel.”