TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — On Halloween night, a 14-year-old girl was hit by a car and killed while trick-or-treating in Taylorsville. On Sunday, family and friends held a vigil to remember Victoria Hillman.
One by one, students of Bennion Junior High School carried candles up the steps and placed them at the foot of the school in memory of Hillman.
“She was always there for me, she gave me the best hugs in the world,” friend Makyl Rose said.
Friends said Victoria’s personality was infectious. She was always in a good mood, and she wanted others to be just as happy as she was.
“All I know is all throughout elementary she always had a smile on her face, no matter what was going on, and you could always count on her to lighten the room up,” friend Mikelle Hansen said.
Victoria’s choir teacher said she was a joy to have in class, a beautiful singer, but an even more beautiful person, inside and out.
“I think she was just open and kind and a good person at heart that treated people well; she’ll be missed,” Anne Puzey said.
Puzey said it’s going to be difficult looking up into the alto section, and not seeing Victoria looking back.
“You spend every day with a kid for three years, two years plus, it’s a tough loss,” Puzey said.
Friends say it still hasn’t sunk in that Victoria won’t be at school on Monday, but they also know her spirit will live on every day in the halls and classrooms of Bennion Junior High School.
“It’s just surprising that she’s gone, it’s hard to believe, but I understand that everything happens for a reason and that she’s looking over us today, those who came here,” Rose said.
The deadly accident took place on 2700 West around 7 p.m. Saturday. Hillman was trick-or-treating with friends and was attempting to cross the street at the crosswalk when an oncoming motorist hit and killed her.
According to police, the driver is not currently facing any charges. The driver was not impaired or speeding, and at this time it’s just being labeled as an accident.
Blue was Victoria’s favorite color, so on Monday all the students at Bennion Junior High are expected to dress in blue. Victoria’s father also said he will be painting the wall running adjacent to 2700 West blue in honor of his daughter.
