Hundreds of Brandeis High School students, teachers and parents packed St. Paul's Catholic Church Friday to participate in a rosary service for Gabby Lerma.
The 17-year-old died Tuesday in a car accident on the access road of Loop 1604 at Hausman Road.
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"She was a really good person, didn't dislike anybody, didn't hate on people, just had a big heart, " said Nathan Jordan, a classmate of Lerma's since middle school. "You don't lose people you know this young so soon."
Police said Lerma was on her way back from lunch when the driver of the car she was in, 19-year-old Antonio Flores, tried to race another vehicle.
Flores lost control of the car when he tried to pass a truck making a left turn.
Lerma died at the scene.
The next day 16-year-old Georgina Rodriguez, who was riding in the back seat of the car, was taken off life support and died shortly before midnight.
Students at Brandeis High School are reeling from the tragic accident.
"The day after the accident, walking to class is normally really loud," said Jordan. "There was literally no one talking."
Jordan said many of Lerma's classmates believe the accident could have been prevented.
"I'm sure it will stick with us," Jordan said. "It's more of a lesson to be learned rather than just a bad event."
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