The school year started on a somber note Monday in the Harrison Hills City School District, where students and staff are mourning the loss of seventh-grader Ana Zarkovic.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced that it was investigating a crash that claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl on Saturday in Freeport Township.

Following that single-vehicle crash on Old Smyrna Road near Ohio 800, Superintendent Duran Morgan released a statement informing parents and others in the school community that Zarkovic had died in the accident.

The statement describes Zarkovic as a “bright light in our community and an active member of our Junior High cheerleading program.” It expresses sympathy for her family, friends and teammates.

“Tragedy is never timely, but we are grateful that as a school famil

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