Cicero (WSYR-TV) -- Thousands of people are remembering a young high school student who died of injuries sustained in a car accident last week.
Taylor Fleming, a 17-year-old Cicero-North Syracuse High School student, is being remembered as a beautiful young woman with a huge heart. Fleming was in a car accident Thursday and taken off life-support Sunday night. And while her family and friends are suffering from a life cut far too short, they’re also celebrating Taylor’s shining memory.
Taylor’s family says she was happiest helping others. The night of the accident she was on her way home from volunteering at Smith Road Elementary.
Taylor’s mom said, “She was just an amazing girl. She just lit up the room when she walked into it. [She had] a beautiful smile, a beautiful personality and a wonderful heart.”
Taylor’s family donated her organs, which will help 60 others lead better lives. Taylor's parents and four sisters hope to someday meet the people who will benefit from her gifts.
Calling hours are set for Thursday starting at 4 p.m. at Pirro’s Family Funeral Home in Liverpool. Her funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Margaret’s Church.
C-NS student involved in serious Cicero accident passes away
December 11, 2011
Cicero (WSYR-TV) – A Cicero-North Syracuse High School student involved in a serious accident on Northern Boulevard passed away on Sunday night.
Principal Tim Bednarski confirmed the teenager's passing late in the morning on Monday. The school made an announcement to students that she had died over its PA on Monday. The school held a moment of silence.
17-year-old Taylor Fleming received a tremendous amount of support from the C-NS high school community after she was taken to Upstate University Hospital, where she was listed initially in serious condition, then critical.
According to the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Fleming was driving a 2003 Dodge Neon when it was struck by a 2000 Lincoln Continental, driven by 45-year-old Timothy Williams on Thursday.
The force of the collision drove Fleming’s vehicle into the median. She was trapped and had to be pulled out of the vehicle by emergency personnel.
Williams sustained minor injuries and was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
The Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the accident. No tickets have been issued.
The school's multipurpose room is being used to counsel students.
Students are making posters and writing letters of support to Fleming's family. Ribbons are also being worn by students in a show of support.
Family and friends come together to honor C-NS teen
Dec. 11, 2011
MATTYDALE, NY (WSYR-TV) - As 800 people gathered to pray Sunday night at St. Margaret's church in Mattydale, Taylor Fleming's boyfriend unfolded his favorite bracelet. The name "Taylor" lines the inside of the fabric.
"She has one too, but it says Shawn," said Shawn Radder. "She's not able to wear it right now because her hand is too swollen."
A charm on the side of the bracelet offers Taylor's signature phrase: "I love you to the moon and back". Friends say, she'd repeat those words often, to let friends know how much she cared.
"She has the biggest spirit of a person I have ever seen in my life," said Brandon Drahd. "She is never down. She's always happy and she's always smiling her big smile and her bright blue eyes."
As music filled the halls, there were hugs, tears and smiles from a big sister who got to deliver an important message at Fleming's bedside in the hospital.
"I keep telling her she is the most amazing person and she is so inspiring and I believe in her and everything will be okay," said Kaleigh Fleming.
Taylor Fleming, 17, was driving down Totman Road Thursday, when she crossed into Northern Boulevard. An oncoming car crashed into Fleming's vehicle, sending her to the hospital with critical injuries. When it became clear the teen could not survive, the family decided to donate her body to help others live a better life. Flemings younger sister, Jordan, struggled with emotions of pride and sadness.
"She did a great job. I am so proud of her, fighting," said Jordan Fleming. "That's all she did was fight."
Taylor Fleming was a regular face on the morning video announcements at Cicero-North Syracuse high school. Counselors will be available Monday for students throughout the school district.
People attending the prayer service wore sparkling ribbons in blue, her favorite color. Others wore bracelets with the word "believe". Outside, friends noticed a large bright moon.
"When I looked outside that just made me smile and think of her," said Morgan Bicknell. "It definitely shows that she is here with us."
C-NS students, family and friends support injured teen 12/11/11
SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) -During the Cicero-North Syracuse High School boys and girls basketball teams' games at the Carrier Dome Sunday afternoon, the outcome of the game was not the only thing on everyone's minds.
Students, family and friends in the stands and the players on the court showed their support for C-NS senior Taylor Fleming by wearing armbands with Fleming's initials.
Fleming is in critical condition at Upstate University Hospital after she was injured in a crash on Northern Boulevard on December 8th.
The North Syracuse Central School District says it opened the high school's gymnasium for family and friends of Fleming to gather together Sunday afternoon.
Counselors were available during the gathering and will be available again at school on Monday.
