ALCOA, Tenn. — Neighbors, coworkers and friends gathered Monday evening to honor a 19-year-old who was in a fatal crash the morning of March 22.
Madison Hoese, 19, died after a stolen car driven by a 16-year-old hit her near East Lincoln Road, according to the Alcoa Police Department. Another 16-year-old was in the passenger seat, and APD said the driver was under the influence and ran a red light.
APD said both tried to run away from the scene that night before they were apprehended. The driver was charged with criminal homicide, vehicular homicide, theft of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in a fatality and underage DUI. The passenger was charged with criminal homicide, theft of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in a fatality, APD said.
Hoese's mother said the morning of the crash, she was on her way to start her shift and crashed around two minutes from her shift.
Following her death, people across the community grieved Hoese. She worked two jobs — one at a Maryville donut shop and the other at a Maryville salon. Friends and coworkers at her Dunkin' Donuts location got matching heart tattoos in her honor, and a memorial was set up for her. Photos of her were put on the doors and on the drive-through window.
Friends at the Ulta location where she worked also set up a memorial for her. Her coworkers and friends also planned a candlelight ceremony in her memory for April 1.
At the ceremony, her family, friends and coworkers shared memories of her and dedicated an area of Dunkin' Donuts to her. Organizers said they wanted everybody in the store to be reminded of the fun young lady she was.
"She came in everybody with a smile on her face, full of energy. She was what got everyone going," said one Dunkin' Donuts worker.