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Providence High School student dies in crash; teen driver arrested

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools says it will have a crisis response team at the school to help anyone impacted by Ella Luske's death.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A crash on Sunday in south Charlotte left a high school student dead. 

Ella Lukse, a 10th-grade student at Providence High School, was killed after being involved in a car crash on Raintree Lane on Sunday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools confirmed on Tuesday.

The school's principal sent a message out to parents saying school officials were heartbroken by Luske's death and asked everyone to keep her family and friends in their thoughts. CMS's Crisis Response Team will be at the school to assist with the emotional needs of anyone impacted by the situation.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say the crash happened around 8:57 p.m. on Raintree Lane. A 2006 Jeep was traveling south when it struck a 2019 Volkswagen. The Jeep then overturned and the Volkswagen struck a tree. Luske was a passenger in the Volkswagen.

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A celebration of Lukse's life is scheduled for Saturday, September 16 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at McEwen Funeral Service, according to her obituary. The family asks all guests to support in wearing purple for Ella.

Police believe excessive speed played a factor in the crash. The driver of the Jeep, Gorden Ware Fleming, 17, was not impaired but was found to have consumed alcohol prior to the collision. 

Fleming was arrested after the crash. He is charged with involuntary manslaughter and was taken into custody at the Stonewall Jackson Juvenile Correctional Facility in Cabarrus County.

The investigation into this crash is ongoing. Anyone with information can contact Charlotte Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600.

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