Waubonsie Valley student killed in crash

Waubonsie Valley High School students are mourning the death of 17-year-old Jacqueline Avila, who was killed Thursday morning on a downstate crash while en route to visit a university with her family.

"She was really smart," said Hannah Chesser, a fellow senior at Indian Prairie School District 204's Frontier Campus. "She was always there for everyone. If you had a problem, you could call her."

Avila died at 9:11 a.m. after the 2003 silver Chevy Astro minivan driven by her father, Jose A. Avila, 43, spun out of control on southbound Interstate 57 near Salem in Marion County, according to Illinois State Police.

The eldest Avila, his wife Maria, 37 and their youngest, Alejandra, 14, a freshman at Metea Valley High School, also were injured in the crash.

Their conditions were unavailable late Friday night.

Chesser said Jacqueline, also known as Jackie, played volleyball and was on the track team. She was headed to the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Chesser said.

Avila was considering majoring in nursing.

By late Friday, nearly 600 people became members of a Facebook page set up by Chesser in Avila's memory.

Wrote her friend Martin Heredia: "To me we were family, I feel so happy and honored to have seen you Wednesday smiling and happy one last time. I hope you are happy in heaven. R.I.P. Jackie Avila."

Funeral arrangements are pending.