A teenager from Red Wing, Minn., who graduated from high school just two weeks ago, was killed Thursday in a head-on crash involving a garbage truck in Goodhue County.
Samantha "Sammy" Kriese, 18, was an honor student and swimmer at Red Wing High School, where she was known for her kind heart, easygoing nature and putting classmates first.
She "was a real leader and a wonderful person in our school," said Red Wing High School Principal George Nemanich.
Kriese had graduated with distinction June 4 and was looking forward to starting her freshman year at the University of Minnesota, those who knew her said.
But her dreams were cut short at 2:48 p.m. Thursday when the pickup she was driving west on Flower Valley Road collided with an eastbound Waste Management garbage truck, the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office said.
Kriese died at the scene 2 miles southeast of Red Wing. The truck driver, Wade Dewall, 45, of Red Wing, was treated for minor injuries at the scene, the Sheriff's Office said.
Kriese started swimming as a child with the Red Wing Swim Club and made many friends through the sport.
"She was a promising athlete through her competitive years, always performing well for her team," a statement from the club said.
Kriese also swam for the Red Wing High School team and in 2018 participated on a relay team at the Minnesota high school swimming meet.
This summer, she had just started working as a lifeguard at the Red Wing Water Park. Her death prompted the city to shut down its water park Friday through Sunday.
In school, Kriese was manager of the boys' swim and dive teams, participated in Ultimate Frisbee and was a member of the Nordic ski team.
She served on the prom committee and "was a voice for all students" as a member of the Student Council, said adviser Nikki Roschen.
In a school year made challenging by COVID-19, Kriese led the charge to honor students who succeeded academically.
Her efforts led to several students recognized as Students of the Year with purple "Winger" sweatshirts as their prize. The school's sports teams are known as the Wingers.
"She wanted to make the school year special and single-handedly went to administration," Roschen said. "She was caring for all students. She was a great role model."
Her influence stretched well beyond Red Wing High.
"The community of Red Wing is devastated by the loss of our beloved Sammy," the swim club's statement said.
Authorities on Friday said the crash remains under investigation, but alcohol does not appear to have been a contributing factor.
Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768
