Following the horrific car crash that resulted in the death of a Miss Teen USA winner, the victim's mother has spoken up. 18-year-old Kadance Fredericksen died after her vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer for unknown reasons.
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Now her grieving mother is devastated as the crash occurred just "three minutes from home." 48-year-old Lisa Fredericksen told People in an exclusive interview she had "no idea what happened." The winner of Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA 2024 drove into oncoming traffic and she died at the scene on February 17.
Mother Grieves For Late Miss Teen USA After Deadly Crash
Lisa adopted the pageant queen in 2017 after the young girl experienced abuse in her early childhood. Her hardships inspired her to create 'Kada's Promise.' This organization has granted children who have suffered from abuse or trauma over 12,000 teddy bears and blankets.
After "years of therapy," Kadance yearned for the spotlight. "She came home one day and she said, 'Mama, can I do a beauty pageant?'" Lisa recalled. "And I said, 'Well, yeah, but if you do a beauty pageant, you have to talk in front of people,' because she still didn't talk a whole lot."
Her mother recalled Kadance purchasing the "ugliest dress she could find because she just wanted to be like a princess." It wasn't ever about winning and immediately "she was hooked." Lisa also described her daughter as being the "most kindhearted" and "generous" person she knew.
Kadance has a bright future ahead of her. Lisa said that her daughter received nine college acceptances and dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. She also recalled that just one day before the incident Kadance earned a presidential scholarship for Mississippi State University.
Since the tragic and sudden death, others have spoken up in mourning, such as Brittany Aldean. This 36-year-old actress and singer, married to Jason Aldean, knew Kadance from pageant shows. She met the young girl while she was judging the Miss Florida Teen USA pageant.
"What an honor it was to meet Kadance while judging @missflusa" Brittany wrote in an Instagram story. "I vividly remember her advocating for children despite her young age. Her personality, beauty, and selflessness were only a fraction of why so many people were drawn to her."
The family has set up a GoFundMe to raise money in loving memory of the late Kadance. So far, they are over 35% of the way to their goal of raising $50,000.
