Somerset crash victim being remembered, vigil set this evening

20 year old Hailey Allard was the victim of this morning’s crash in Somerset and today she is being remembered by friends and family.

Allard had just finished her sophomore year as a nursing student at UMass Dartmouth. Helping children with cancer was a passion of hers. So much so that when it came to celebrating her birthday, which just passed, she asked her Facebook followers to give to St. Jude Hospital in lieu of gifts.

UMass Dartmouth issued the following statement on Hailey:

“With great sadness I must report that we have lost a cherished member of our university community. Hailey Allard, a nursing student from Somerset entering her junior year, died from injuries suffered in a car accident early this morning. She was 20.”

“In her time with us, Hailey made her mark on friends, faculty, and staff. She has been described to me as bright, perpetually positive, and a hard working student. She constantly cared about her fellow students, especially in her work as a resident assistant and as a mentor to other nursing students. Hailey clearly chose the right profession, following in the footsteps of her mother, UMassD nursing alumna and now a graduate student.”

“Hailey’s sudden passing is a reminder to us all of how precious our time on earth is, and the importance of using our limited time to serve others. In the days ahead, I know that we will support each other and Hailey’s family.”

Family and friends are scheduled to have a vigil at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the corner of Westhill Avenue and Route 138 in Somerset. Everyone is welcome.

According to WJAR Channel 10 the family issued the following statement:

“This is a complete and utter tragedy. Hailey was an exceptional young woman who was full of life and energy. Her smile was infectious & brightened everyone’s day.”

Somerset Police released in a post that: “We are all saddened by this horrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the person who passed away.”