Taylor Mae Stinchcomb rescued a Doberman from a shelter when she was 13. The dog was a birthday present for her and she named the pup Romulus.

Sadly, at the age of 15, Taylor’s family learned that Romulus had cancer. Her family was considering putting Romulus to sleep but Taylor couldn’t bear the thought of that.

Once again, Taylor decided to rescue her beloved dog and drove away in her family’s minivan without her parents’ permission on Tuesday morning.

While driving, Taylor became very upset and realized she couldn’t drive, so she let a friend of hers, also 15 years of age, who had accompanied her, operate the vehicle instead.

The teen girls left after midnight and authorities don’t know where they were heading but tragedy soon struck.  The teen that was driving lost control of the vehicle in Lake County. The minivan went off the road, rolled over and hit several trees as well as a utility pole.

When paramedics arrived, Taylor was still alive and talking. She was pinned in the minivan and had to be extricated from the vehicle by Fire Rescue officers.

Taylor was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville but she suffered multiple extensive internal injuries in the accident and died as a result. She had just finished freshman year at Warren Township High School.

Taylor’s friend survived the crash and did not need to be hospitalized. Sadly, Romulus was also killed in the crash.

“This case is absolutely heartbreaking,” said Lake County Undersheriff Charles Fagan. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of both girls involved in this incident.”

Authorities are investigating the incident but so far it doesn’t appear as though drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. Speed, however, does appear to have played a role.

The speed limit where the crash occurred is 35 mph, however, investigators believe that the teen had been speeding and possibly going as fast as 60 mph.

The driver only had a learner’s permit. She was wearing a seat-belt. However, it appears as though Taylor was not.

Taylor is survived by her parents, Bill and LeeAnn Stinchcomb, her two sisters, Amy Stinchcomb and Mallory Holler, and her brother, Joseph Holler.

Taylor was described by Amy as being “very outgoing, very warm.” She will be missed greatly by all of her loved ones.

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