Kadance Fredericksen, a rising star in the Miss Teen USA pageant, passed away this week in a car accident at the age of 18.

Fredericksen, who was crowned Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA 2024, died following a collision between her sedan and a tractor-trailer in Santa Rosa County, Florida, on Monday, February 17.

According to reports, the crash occurred when a tractor-trailer driven by a 56-year-old man from Milton, Florida, collided with Fredericksen’s vehicle. The truck driver sustained minor injuries while Fredericksen tragically lost her life.

The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed the death of an 18-year-old female in the crash, though Fredericksen’s name was not initially released.

The Miss Florida USA Instagram account later confirmed her passing with a heartfelt tribute.

“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the passing of one of our beloved delegates, Kadance Fredericksen, Miss Okaloosa County,” the tribute read. “Our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul — one who was a true light in this world. She was ambitious, driven, kind, and a leader among her pageant sisters.”

Fredericksen, a humanitarian, founded a nonprofit called Kada’s Promise in 2017, which has donated over 14,000 teddy bears and blankets to children affected by homelessness, neglect, or abuse.

She was also a two-time recipient of Crestview’s Citizen of the Year award, being the youngest person ever to receive the honour. She also raised over $25,000 for the Ronald McDonald House during her pageantry career.

Tributes poured in from across the community, including a heartfelt message from Brittany Aldean, wife of country music star Jason Aldean. Aldean, who helped judge the Miss Florida Teen USA pageant, remembered Fredericksen for her advocacy for children and described her as “an amazing girl, gone too soon.”

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The Miss Florida USA community and fans alike mourn the loss of the young pageant queen.