Last Updated on June 2, 2017 by CCAR Staff
UPLAND >> The identity of a teen killed in an early Thursday morning crash one week before her high school graduation has been confirmed.
Shortly after 1:30 a.m. police were called to Sixth Street near Quarry Street for a reported crash.
“It took officers almost an hour to find her,” Upland police Lt. John Poole said Friday. “Her car was down in an embankment and couldn’t be easily seen.”
Officers eventually found Jamaari Adams, 17, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Some students spoke fondly of the popular Upland High School senior on Friday.
“She had a beautiful soul,” 18-year-old Tanya Strickland said. “I was in shock when I heard what happened.”
Police haven’t determined what caused the teen to crash.
“We are waiting for the toxicology results to come back to determine if drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash,” Poole said. “That could take six months.”
Another student, 16-year-old Tommy Cooper, said Adams never treated anyone badly. “She was really nice,” Cooper said.
Police are continuing to investigate the crash.
Adams was an intern at All Sports Medical Services and was certified in CPR and first aid, according to the All Sports website.
More than 100 people had donated to a GoFundMe account, raising $6,600 by 5 p.m. Friday to help with Adams’ funeral costs.
“Such a wonder of life! Such a joyful spirit! Gone too soon. Jamaari Nicole Adams passed abruptly in a car accident on June 1st in the early hours of the morning,” the GoFundMe campaign description states. The “family is greatly saddened and will sincerely miss Jamaari.”
Officials at the Upland Unified School District were unwilling to comment about Adams. Upland High School will hold its graduation ceremony Thursday.
