Friends and family said goodbye Friday to Lauren Hewski, a teen from St. John Vianney High School who died in a car crash.

Hewski, 18, of Aberdeen, was celebrating great successes in her life when she died as the passenger in the crash.

Hewski was on the way home last Thursday from a graduation ceremony after earning an associate’s degree from Brookdale College as part of a dual enrollment program.

Police say the 17-year-old driver of the silver Jeep Cherokee Hewski was in crashed on Laird Road in Colts Neck. The Jeep hit a utility pole and flipped. The driver was injured but survived.

The crash is now being investigated by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and the driver could face criminal charges.

Residents in the area tell News 12 that crashes on the narrow road are common. One couple said accidents occur on a monthly basis.

Hewski’s family and former classmates attended her funeral at St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church Friday. Hewski played soccer at St. John Vianney and was a member of the National Honor Society. She was set to graduate on June 3 and planned to attend Syracuse University in the fall.