Nanny, 24, Dies in 7-Car Wreck in Georgia. Mom Says Her Boyfriend 'Was Planning to Propose' Soon

10/04/2024 01:58 PM

McKayla Harshaw died days before her 25th birthday in a multi-vehicle accident along Interstate 75 in Atlanta

Family and friends of a 24-year-old woman who died in a seven-car crash in Georgia are mourning her death — which they say came days before her boyfriend was set to propose.

McKayla Harshaw was killed on Friday, Sept. 27 on Interstate 75 in Atlanta after the Toyota Corolla in which her boyfriend Andrew Perez was driving became involved in an accident at around 1:30 p.m. local time. Six other people were injured in the crash, CBS affiliate WANF-TV reported.

"Traffic began diverting around a disabled Pontiac vehicle and as traffic began stopping abruptly, two Freightliner CMVs struck a white Ford Transit van, which then struck a Hyundai car, that then hit a Toyota Corolla, causing it to overturn, making contact with [an] Audi A4," Georgia State Police told the news station.

Harshaw died at the scene while six other drivers — including Perez — were taken to nearby hospitals, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Related: Man Rescued from Floodwaters of Hurricane Helene 'Praying for a Miracle' in Search for Missing Fiancée

Perez was seriously injured with a fractured skull, and suffered a broken neck, back and ribs, McKayla's mother, Melissa Gunther, shared on Facebook.

"Andrew's brother told us this morning that [Andrew] was planning to propose to her soon," Gunther wrote. "McKayla would have turned 25 on Sept. 30. Now, we're planning her funeral."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

According to McKayla's obituary, a funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Piedmont Church in Marietta, Ga.

The Georgia native, who worked as a nanny, "loved caring for children" and "looked forward to having a family of her own," her obituary states.

Related: Daughter's Matching Tattoo with Mom Helped Police Identify Woman Killed in Florida Crash

Those who knew her said she loved to model, had a passion for the outdoors and was an avid climber and hiker. She had hoped to start her own business one day to follow in her parents' entrepreneurial footsteps, per the obituary.

"She was gleefully optimistic, had a smile that could light up a room and gave the best hugs," according to her obituary.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.