Teen Girl Killed In Burke Crash Planned To Attend George Mason In Fall

BURKE, VA — The family of Rebekah Zarco, the 17-year-old killed in a crash in Burke Tuesday night, has set up an online fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of her funeral.

Rebekah had left a church service and was with her brother and friends when the crash happened around 9 p.m. in the 5700 block of Burke Centre Parkway.

Detectives with the Fairfax County Police Department's Crash Reconstruction Unit determined the driver of a 2014 Cadillac XTS4 was traveling westbound on Burke Centre Parkway. Rebekah, who was driving a 2023 Kia Forte, was attempting to exit a parking lot onto Burke Centre Parkway when her vehicle was struck by the driver of the Cadillac.

The teenage girl was declared dead at the scene, police said. The three teenage passengers in the Kia Forte were taken to the hospital with injuries considered to be life-threatening and remain hospitalized, according to police.

The driver of the Cadillac, an adult male, was transported to the hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

"The grieving process has been made even more challenging for us as her younger brother David, a talented soccer player and musician himself, and his two friends currently remain in the ICU," reads the GoFundMe site set up for Rebekah. "David shared an unbreakable bond with his sister, and her passing is undoubtedly a devastating blow to him and also their older brother William, who is also heartbroken by what happened to his siblings. Her radiant smile will be deeply missed."

The crash caused the Kia Forte to go up in flames. Bystanders tried to pull the teenagers from the burning car before firefighters arrived, NBC4 reported.

Rebekah's uncle, brought a stuffed teddy bear, flowers and a balloon to an intersection on Burke Centre Parkway near where the crash happened Tuesday night, FOX 5 reported.

READ ALSO: Teen Killed, 3 Others Hospitalized In Crash On Burke Centre Parkway

Zarco told FOX 5's that his niece had just graduated from Robinson Secondary School and was planning to attend George Mason University in the fall. Her 16-year-old brother is among those seriously hurt.

“She always had a smile on her face, and that’s the image that I have in my head right now,” Zarco told NBC4.

Rebekah was planning to attend George Mason University's School of Engineering. "Following in her father's footsteps, she aimed to pursue a degree in technology," the GoFundMe site reads. "Rebekah's passion for music, particularly the piano, was also unmatched, and her talent shone through every note she played. Her performances brought warmth and joy to all who had the pleasure of listening."

With family and friends standing near the crash site on Wednesday, a woman walked up and hugged them, according to the report.

"Preliminarily, detectives believe speed was a contributing factor in the crash," police said. "Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the crash and determine appropriate charges."

Police are asking members of the public who were in the area of the crash to call the FCPD non-emergency number at 703-691-2131 if they have information about the fatal crash. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), or by web.

On the GoFundMe site, Rebekah's family says, "We humbly ask for your continued prayers and support for David and his two friends recovery, and for our family as we navigate through this painful journey."

"In addition to your prayers, if you feel compelled to offer further assistance, we have set up this GoFundMe page to help with the funeral and memorial service expenses for our beloved Bekah," the fundraising site reads.