Teen killed in Osteen ATV crash remembered as 'full of life' by loved ones
Teen killed in Osteen ATV crash remembered as 'full of life'
A Volusia County family is mourning the loss of a 15-year-old girl they describe as creative, compassionate, and devoted to the people around her after she was killed in an ATV crash over the weekend.
OSTEEN, Fla. - A Volusia County family is mourning the loss of a 15-year-old girl they describe as creative, compassionate and devoted to the people around her after she was killed in an ATV crash over the weekend.
Haylee Bechtold was pronounced dead at the scene. A 13-year-old passenger on the ATV was taken to a local hospital by family members with non-life-threatening injuries.
What we know:
A family is remembering a 15-year-old girl who brought boundless energy, kindness, and light into every room she entered after a tragic ATV crash in Volusia County cut her bright future short over the weekend.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Haylee Bechtold was riding an ATV with a friend along Pell Road near Ashby Way in Osteen around noon on Sunday when she lost control.
Haylee Bechtold, 15, died Sunday after an ATV overturned in Osteen, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
State troopers said she overcorrected, causing the vehicle to flip onto its left side and throw her off.
FHP confirmed the crash remains under active investigation.
For Haylee’s family, the sudden loss has left an immeasurable void in a home she was constantly filled with joy, creativity, and love.
What they're saying:
Her brother, Lyle Bechtold, described Haylee as his absolute best friend, recalling the deep bond they shared.
"We loved each other a lot — you just can’t imagine losing someone who's your best friend. It’s the worst thing ever," Lyle said. "Kind, gorgeous — she was just a really good sister."
Her grandfather, John Tradonia — a pastor in Longwood — said Haylee was the center of her parents' world and a loyal friend who never met a stranger.
"It's an understatement to say she was full of life... she really was, and relationships were most important to her," Tradonia said. "She was quite the artist and entrepreneur. She had a freeze dryer in her bedroom for candy and she would sell it at school and the farmers markets."
Her entrepreneurial drive also extended to her business making handmade jewelry, which she called "Haylee's Thankful Beads." Her grandfather shared that the business was rooted in a deeper mission to connect with people and leave the world better than she found it.
"I told her, I said, 'Haylee, if people were more thankful we could change the world,' and that's the message we want... for people to be more thankful," Tradonia added.
Her family says they found a sense of comfort in a quiet moment right after a thunderstorm passed over on Sunday afternoon.
"The day she died there was a thunderstorm and then a rainbow that was out there for 45 minutes, like the skies had opened up for Haylee," Tradonia shared.
What's next:
The community is rallying around the Bechtold family during this difficult time.
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for this Saturday at 7 p.m. The family is also planning a Celebration of Life service at Northland Church in Longwood on Sunday, September 20, at 3 p.m. All who knew and loved Haylee are invited to attend and honor her memory.
The Source: This story was written with information released by the Florida Highway Patrol.