By REBECCA BILLS
SHE has been described as beautiful and bubbly – a life taken too soon.
Mooroolbark teen Tanika Pearce, 18, lost her life in a road crash last Friday.
The small blue car she was driving hit a tree on Monbulk-Silvan Road just before Hunter Road in Mount Evelyn.
The crash happened at 1.03pm with police, ambulance and CFA members at the scene unable to revive her.
Belgrave Police Sergeant Craig West confirmed that Tanika died at the scene.
Yarra Ranges Councillor and paramedic Jason Callanan praised the efforts of local CFA members on the Mail’s Facebook page on Friday following the tragic crash.
“Tragic loss today, tried to assist but unfortunately her injuries were too severe,” he said.
The sentiments of many others were echoed in the words of Mail Facebook user Gary Taylor who sent his condolences and love to the family and friends of Tanika.
“I send my wishes to those who were there helping alongside me, we tried our best I am sorry we could do no more,” he said.
“What a shame, so young.”
Friends and family flocked to Tanika’s personal Facebook page to leave moving tributes.
Her boyfriend Michael D’angelo left a touching post on the teen’s Facebook wall talking of their daily morning routine together.
“When I left for work on Friday I never expected I’d be doing this for the last time, but my last memory of you was exactly that – you, sleeping peacefully, smiling and knowing you were loved,” he said.
“I will always remember that.”
Bron Sands from Healesville worked with Tanika at The International at Lilydale just this year and said she was a week away from celebrating her 19th birthday.
“She was saving up to get a car – she was so excited about getting her car,” she said.
“She was a typical 18-year-old, bubbly and beautiful.
“Such a sad, tragic thing to happen.”
She said Tanika attended Healesville Primary School and moved to Don Valley after Grade 6.
It is understood she graduated from Lilydale Heights last year and worked at Planet Surf in Chirnside Park.
Just six minutes after the fatal crash, another crash occurred just over a kilometre down the road which resulted to a man being air-lifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
