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Vigil held for teen killed in Racine County crash

17-year-old Taylor Skendziel died Thursday night
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UNION GROVE -- A community in shock is rallying around the family of a 17-year-old Union Grove girl.
 

Taylor Skendziel died from her injuries after a crash in Racine County Wednesday evening. She was driving herself and her two friends to their end-of-year softball banquet when an SUV blew a stop sign. The driver's side door took the brunt of the crash at Highway U and Two Mile Road.

Many tears were shared as friends and family met up alongside a softball field at Old Grade School Park Saturday night. It’s a place where Taylor herself had times for sorrow and joy. We’ve learned softball was Taylor’s life.

“It’s just a devastating loss," said family friend Deb Redell. "Everyone had the hopes that she would come out of this."
 

Skendziel was about to start her junior year at Union Grove High School.

“You’re not supposed to bury your children," Pete Skendziel said.

Taylor's Union Grove High School softball teammates said they are trying to be strong for each other but said it's hard.

 
“She was a really good softball player. I hope I can be as good as her one day," said teammate Kylie Anderson.
 
Friends and family remembered the happier times.  Taylor's smile, her kind spirit.  She was a softball player, a girl scout and a mentor.
 

“I just want to say that I’m honored that I got to play with and against her and that we all miss her very much (sobs)” said teammate Jordan Kodaski.

Red balloons and green ribbons decorated the vigil. Green for organ donation. Skendziel's family is donating her's. They said she wanted to be a neonatal nurse and was always eager to help others.

Union Grove High School will be opening their doors for both the visitation and funeral. Those will be this coming Friday and Saturday.