SCOTLAND COUNTY, N.C. — A devastating crash in the early hours of Saturday morning has left one teenager dead and three others critically injured, officials confirmed.

The collision happened just after 3 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 74 and Highway 79 near Laurinburg. Authorities identified the victim as Sydney Strickland, a young woman who had only recently begun her college journey. Family and friends described her as a bright, driven, and compassionate individual whose life was full of promise.

Emergency responders arrived quickly at the scene. Two of the survivors were airlifted to trauma centers for urgent care, while a third was transported by EMS to a local hospital. Their conditions remain critical.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into what caused the crash. At this time, no additional details about contributing factors have been released.

The loss of Sydney Strickland has deeply shaken her community, with many remembering her for her intelligence, kindness, and determination to pursue her dreams.