Niamh Shackleton
A woman has died while her boyfriend reportedly continues to fight for his life following a devastating seven-car pile-up.
On Friday (September 27), McKayla Harshaw and her partner Andrew Perez were traveling down I-75 southbound in Atlanta, US.
Perez was driving the car while Harshaw was in the passenger seat when two large trucks crashed into a vehicle that had stalled in the middle of the highway.
Several other vehicles then crashed into the trucks, causing the seven-car pile-up.
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According to Georgia State Troopers, the Toyota Corolla Perez and Harshaw were in overturned, Atlanta News First reported.
Perez is currently fighting for his life after the ordeal, while Harshaw, who would have turned 25 on Monday (September 30), sadly died as a result of the crash.
Her bereaved boyfriend is said to have suffered a fractured skull, broken neck and back, fractured ribs and a concussion.
Adding to the sadness of it all, according to Perez's brother, he had planned on proposing to Harshaw in the near future.
In light of her untimely passing, Harshaw's family have set up a GoFundMe page to pay for the young woman's funeral.
"September 27, 2024, our beautiful daughter McKayla Harshaw was killed at 1:34 pm in the fatal 7-car pileup on I-75 south at Howell Mill Road in Atlanta," Harshaw's mother, Melissa Gunther, penned on the fundraising page.
"She would have turned 25 this Monday, September 30th. Her boyfriend Andrew Perez was driving the car, and she was in the passenger seat. There was a stalled Pontiac in the middle of the highway. Two large Freightliner Utility trucks crashed into the Pontiac, which created the multi vehicle crash. Her vehicle was crushed and flipped over."
She went on to share that her daughter was the only person to have died in the crash and described her as a 'thriving young woman with her entire life ahead of her'.
The heartbroken mother concluded the post: "She didn't have life insurance, and we created this ground me to help with her funeral expenses. Any contribution would be a blessing."
At the time of writing, the page has raised over $18,500 towards its $20,000 target.
An obituary has since been penned for Harshaw, which has been posted online by her mom.
Part of it reads: "McKayla was a wonderful daughter, and her loss leaves a gaping hole in our hearts. She was gleefully optimistic, had a smile that could light up a room, and gave the best hugs.
"She loved caring for children as a nanny and looked forward to having a family of her own."
It added: "McKayla was a radiant light in the world known for her selfless nature and unwavering compassion."
Her funeral is set to take place tomorrow (October 5).
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.