Singer From Camden Killed In DWI Crash During Church Trip, Family Says

CAMDEN, NJ — A drunk driver killed a woman in a head-on crash Thursday in Missouri, authorities said. Loved ones identified the victim as a singer from Camden who was traveling for a church retreat.

Esiyah Dixon-Waheed, 26, was an accomplished vocalist, according to a GoFundMe helping her family with funeral expenses.

Three years ago, Dixon-Waheed graduated from Wiley University after receiving a scholarship for singing and performing arts. She went on to use her voice to help others, according to the historically Black institution.

"A dedicated member of the A Cappella Choir of Wiley University, Esiyah was known for her extraordinary voice, which she used to uplift and inspire," the university said in a statement.

The crash happened at 1:32 a.m. Thursday in Ralls County, which is in northeastern Missouri, authorities said.

A man was driving a Chevrolet Suburban south in the northbound lanes when he struck a Nissan Altima head-on, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

A 26-year-old woman who was a passenger inside the Altima was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a crash report. Police did not identify her by name.

Two other women in the Altima, including the driver, were flown to different hospitals. Another woman in the car sustained minor injuries — as did the driver who caused the crash, officials said.

The Chevy driver — William W. Strausbaugh, 61, of Clarence, Missouri — was charged with causing a death while driving intoxicated, according to WGEM. He was also charged with driving while intoxicated and causing serious physical injuries.

Dixon-Waheed was a "thriving person," the GoFundMe says.

"She was a tutor, vocal coach, mentor, and so much more!" the online fundraiser says. "She used her voice not just to sing but as a ministry to comfort people through their pain and grief."

The GoFundMe has generated $9,744 as of 11 a.m. Wednesday.