Memorial to be held Wednesday for Brittany Hare, teen struck and killed by van

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Friends and family are preparing to honor the memory of a 14-year-old girl who was struck and killed by a van just blocks from her home Sunday night.

Ashlee Hess has been busy planning a memorial for her cousin, Brittany Hare.

"How does this happen?" asked Hess. "It's just not fair."

Hare was walking just blocks from her home in St. Lucie County when she was hit from behind by a van driving on the wrong side of the road.

Hess described her cousin and best friend Hare as "the light to everyone's tunnel."

Investigators say charges are still pending against the driver of the van, 52 year-old Jesse McInerney. He was taken into custody involuntarily after he apparently tried to commit suicide Monday. 

Deputies say McInerney was speeding at the time of the collision.

Hess is organizing a fishing event for Wednesday in her cousin's honor. Hess said Brittany loved the outdoors, and fishing was one of her favorite activities.

The public is invited to celebrate Hare's life at Riverside Park in Vero Beach Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. for the "Britt-Brat Fish Off." Then at 9:45 p.m., the moment Hare was struck and killed, there will be a candlelight vigil.

For more information about the memorial, visit the Facebook event page