A candlelight vigil was held for Santa Clarita teen Madeline “Maddie” Rossiter Saturday evening at Canyon Country Park in Canyon Country.
Maddie Rossiter, 19, her brother Daniel Rossiter, 23, of Santa Clarita, and Terris Walter, 23, of Lancaster, were involved in a fatal off-road crash near Rowher Flats in Agua Dulce on Friday night.
Walter was pronounced dead at the scene, according to CHP and Coroner’s officials.
Maddie Rossiter, nicknamed “Mads,” and her brother Daniel Rossiter were both treated on scene for their injuries and were transported with major injuries to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Friday.
Maddie Rossiter later died from her injuries during emergency surgery on Saturday and her brother was last reported in critical condition.
Maddie Rossiter helped students with Asperger’s syndrome and autism at Canyon High School in the “Yes I Can” program.
Steven McLean, who is the parent to a special needs student in the Yes I Can program as well as the current chief of police in Santa Paula, described Rossiter as a “superstar.”
“What a tremendous blessing to have Maddie come into our lives. I hope people will use this tragedy as motivation to come together to honor Maddie,” said McLean. “This is really devastating for the Yes I Can kids, you can’t replace Maddie. She was almost like a mother to the kids in Yes I Can. She put together slumber parties for them and even curled my daughter’s hair and told her how pretty she was.”
McLean was in the Yes I Can program 40 years ago at Canyon High School. “I didn’t have anyone like Maddie. She was smart, wise beyond her years and she was going to excel.”
Maddie Rossiter knew her calling at 17 years old, said McLean, “she wanted to go back to Canyon High School and be a teacher for special needs kids.”
“She came to Canyon High School once a week to see and help the special needs kids,” said Lisa Lamedman, an English teacher for special education students at Canyon High School.
There was a common theme about Rossiter at the candlelight vigil.
“Maddie lit up any room she went in and she stood up for anyone,” said a friend of Rossiter, who asked to not be named. “She just made you happy, her hugs made everything better. She was an angel.”
“No one ever had anything bad to say about Maddie,” said Cole Mears, a friend of Rossiter.
Rossiter was going to California State University, Channel Islands and had just completed her first year, according to Lamedman.
The collision remains under investigation by CHP, however officials say alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor.
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42 Comments
Ray Smith
My deepest condolences. Praying for Danial and family.
This is so sad and so close to home… Prayers for their families… I can’t imagine losing my children… Truly sad…
No words that I say will take away the pain of loss, heartache and worry the parents are going through and for this I am truly sorry.
No words that I say will take away the pain of loss, heartache and worry the parents are going through and for this I am truly sorry.
Heartbreaking…
Heartbreaking…
So sorry for the families.
So sorry for the families.
Terrible tragedy.
Terrible tragedy.
So sad.
So sad.
Very sad
Prayers to the family no words can take the pain away. Praying for your son Daniel ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
So sad and heart breaking.This a terrible tragedy.Praying for Daniel and all the family.
Praying for this amazing family. So heartbreaking.
So very heartbreaking my prayers are with the family and friends?
Praying for the family
Praying for the family
Our condolences to the Rossiter & Walters families. Prayers going out to Daniel..
Our condolences to the Rossiter & Walters families. Prayers going out to Daniel..
So sad
So sad
Omg lots of prayers. ..for the family’s :-(…
Omg lots of prayers. ..for the family’s :-(…
?I’m sadden for both families.
?I’m sadden for both families.
My heart hurts for the family. Kayla Jo, we are here for you. Please reach out. ♡♡♡
My heart hurts for the family. Kayla Jo, we are here for you. Please reach out. ♡♡♡
Sometimes…….there are no words. Prayers for the families.
Our Lord will take them in his arms with love and healing their love ones here
So awful. Prayers for the families.
Our prayers to the families and friends. Way to young. ..
Sad
Mike Rossiter, I’m so sorry for your family’s loss… Your cousin was an amazing young lady….
Mike Rossiter, I’m so sorry for your family’s loss… Your cousin was an amazing young lady….
So sad.
I still can’t believe she is really gone… My heart and condolences go out to both the families.
My condolences to the families.
Condolences to families.Peace be with you