A 16-year-old Berkeley girl who became known after surviving a devastating taxi crash in elementary school has suddenly died, leaving her family, classmates, friends, and admirers with a myriad of questions.
Lillia Bartlow, a sophomore in Berkeley High School’s International Baccalaureate Program, died on March 17, the Berkeley Scanner reported.
On the day that she passed Bartlow came home from school saying she was not feeling well and complaining about her headaches. She had been suffering from the headaches since January, but doctors had not determined their source.
The student died in her home.
Those close to the young lady were shocked at her premature demise, especially after she survived getting hit while crossing Claremont Avenue near John Muir Elementary at the age of 9.
The fourth grader had both of her legs broken in the accident. Family members expected the young girl to remain in her wheelchair for at least a year, but she started walking a lot sooner.
Many people heard about her accident and came out to support her, like the UC Berkeley cheerleading squad and Cal’s mascot, Oski the Bear. The Cal squad was particularly attached to her because she and her dad would often support their games.
“The girls showed her a lot of love,” her dad said.
On her first day back to school, the local fire department helped to brighten her day.
Since the accident, the Berkeley community rallied around Bartlow, nurturing the dynamo into the bright and inspiring teen she became.
Her father, Darryl Bartlow, called her “an angel.”
“I was living with an angel. She was as near perfect as perfect can be in a human being,” the bereaved father shared.
She was so beloved in her city. The Berkeley City Council ended its March 21 meeting remembering the teen.
The Berkeley Unified School District released a statement: “Our hearts go out to the family of Lillia Bartlow at this very difficult time. Lillia was a…
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