16-year-old Vanessa Ilanan Pean, a junior at the Potomac School in McLean, was killed early Sunday morning, Oct. 30, when she lost control of her vehicle on Beach Mill Road near Walker Road in Great Falls. The crash occurred less than a mile from Pean's home on Springvale Road.
According to a Fairfax County Police press release, Pean was driving westbound in the eastbound lane of Beach Mill Road just before the crash occurred. Pean swerved back into the correct lane, lost control and crashed into the embankment at the north edge of the road. Then, police said, Pean's vehicle went up the embankment, struck a tree, rolled over and struck another tree. Thus far, police investigation has revealed that Pean was not wearing a seatbelt and that speed was a factor. It is unknown at this time if alcohol was a factor as well.
On Sunday, Oct. 30, students, parents and teachers gathered at The Potomac School to share their grief.
"It was a testament to Vanessa and to our Potomac community that so many are reaching out in support of their friend and classmate," said Daniel Paradis, Upper School Head at Potomac.
In an Oct. 30 e-mail to parents and teachers, Paradis offered condolences to Pean's family and the community.
"Our prayers are with her parents, Leslie and Gail, and her sister Monique, in this time of tragic loss. Vanessa participated in and contributed to our community in so many ways, and we know this loss will affect all of us," said Paradis in the message.
On Monday morning, Oct. 31, students and teachers gathered in the Engelhard Performing Arts Center at the school to come together in silent prayer for Pean and her family. The school also made arrangements to have grief counselor Martha Gibbons on hand to guide parents, students and teachers on ways to handle their loss.
In an e-mail to the members of the Great Falls and McLean neighbors network, Neighbors member Sue Rattner urged parents to remind their children to wear seatbelts, "no matter how uncomfortable or uncool they are."
"She [Pean] was a ... wonderful, bright, gifted, smart and funny girl who always had a big smile and was always full of laughter and happiness," said Rattner.