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Lindenhurst teen remembered for spirit, dedication

No matter where she went, Haylie Winiewicz could befriend anyone.

In an outpouring of community support on social media and elsewhere Sunday, friends described the 15-year-old as a great teammate and a wonderful friend.

"She was one of those people who could lift you up when you were down," said Dana Booker, a close friend of Haylie's family. "For someone so young, she was a really good kid."

Haylie and her father, Chris Winiewicz, 50, died Saturday after their car collided with a pickup truck at routes 45 and 132 near Lindenhurst, where they lived, authorities said.

"Haylie and Chris were wonderful people and are loved by so many," said Booker, who has known the family since she started working with Chris' wife, Gina Winiewicz, at Millburn Elementary School six years ago.

Booker said Chris Winiewicz was a hardworking man who would do anything for Haylie and her 16-year-old sister, Ashley.

"His kids were his life," she said. "And he was a very good husband to Gina."

Ashley was driving the family's car when the crash occurred Saturday, said family attorney Kim Popovich. She was released from the hospital Sunday, Popovich said.

Haylie was a sophomore at Grayslake North High School, where she was on the varsity cheerleading team with Ashley, a junior.

"She loved everything about it," Booker said.

For several years, Haylie had also been involved with Twisters Elite, a dance and cheer school in Lake Villa.

"We mourn the loss of such a wonderful girl and her father," a post on the Twisters Elite Facebook page said Sunday. "Haylie was one of our most determined and dedicated athletes we've ever had on Twisters Elite. Her personality always shined bright and her passion for the sport, our team and extended family burned strong."

To help the Winiewicz family with funeral costs, Booker started a GoFundMe account Sunday, raising thousands of dollars from hundreds of donors in mere hours.

Other community members set up a Meal Train account, where people can sign up to bring the Winiewicz family meals or gift cards.

"It's impossible to replace a spouse and a child," Booker said, "but we're just trying to do everything we can to support Gina and (Ashley) and the rest of the family."

Haylie's friends and cheer team are asking students to wear purple to school Monday in her memory.

In an online announcement Sunday night, the Grayslake North cheerleading team thanked the community members, students and other cheer teams and organizations who offered their support to Haylie's teammates.

"Haylie was a fun-loving, energetic, hilarious, and sweet kid that has been taken from us far too early," the announcement said. "We will miss her and think of her everyday moving forward."

Members of the Grayslake North community started using the hashtag #playforhaylie on Twitter, saying the football team and marching band will play in honor of her at the first home game Friday.

"We are sending positive vibes to the GNHS Cheer team and the Winiewicz family during this time," the marching band tweeted Sunday. "Haylie and her dad will be greatly missed."

Lindenhurst police in a news release said they and the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team continue to investigate the crash. According to police, the Winiewiczs were in a Kia traveling southbound on Route 45 at about 4 p.m. Saturday when the car attempted to turn left onto Route 132, also known as Grand Avenue, and collided with a northbound Nissan.

Both occupants of the Nissan were injured, authorities said. Their identities and conditions were not released Sunday.

The Winiewicz family celebrates Haylie's graduation from Millburn Middle School in 2014. Courtesy of the Winiewicz family
Haylie Winiewicz, left, was on the varsity cheerleading team at Grayslake North High School with her sister, Ashley. Courtesy of the Winiewicz family
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