Miss Teen USA Pageant Queen, 18, Dies in Florida Car Crash: 'A Beacon of Light'

Mar. 15, 2025

Kadance Fredericksen.Photo:Kadance Fredericksen/Instagram

Kadance Fredericksen/Instagram

A Miss Teen USA pageant queen and celebrated up-and-coming humanitarian died this week in a car crash in Florida, according to her family and multiple news outlets. She was 18.

On Monday, Feb. 17,Kadance Fredericksen— who was the Miss Okaloosa County Teen representative at the 2024 Miss Florida Teen USA pageant — was killed when her vehicle crashed into a tractor-trailer in Santa Rosa County at around 1:30 p.m. local time, local CBS affiliateWKRG, ABC affiliateWEARandThe Northwest Florida Daily Newsreported.

According to authorities, “for unknown reasons” the vehicle Fredericksen was driving “crossed the center lane and entered the eastbound lane,” where it struck the tractor-trailer.

“We are still in the early stages of the investigation and ask that we all take a moment for this family as well as others who have lost a loved one to a traffic crash,” authorities said in a statement.

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View of the stage at the 73rd Annual Miss Teen USA Pageant.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

Fredericksen, who was a senior at Baker School, had just received nine college acceptances and was planning a career helping animals as a veterinarian, her family told WKRG.

The Miss Florida USA Instagram account also confirmed Fredericksen’s death,writing in a tributealongside multiple photos: “It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the passing of one of our beloved delegates, Kadance Fredericksen.”

“Our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul - one who was a true light in this world. She was ambitious, driven, kind, and a leader among her pageant sisters,” the post continued.

“Forever our Queen 🙏🕊️.”

The teen’s mom, Lisa, described her as “the light” of she and her husband’s lives toWEAR.

Fredericksen was also the founder ofKada’s Promise, a program that she began in 2017 to provide teddy bears and blankets to children in foster care, homeless shelters, abuse shelters and hospitals, per the group’s website.

Fredericksen’s pageant coach, Michelle Watts, was among those mourning her, saying, “Even though she passed away at 18 years old, literally, her life story and her life start song still sings,” according toWKRG.

“She is going to have such a legacy behind her,” Watts added.

The Baker School, where Fredericksen was a student, called her an “exceptional young woman” in aFacebookpost on Tuesday, writing, “Kadance was a beacon of light in our community, known for her compassion, tireless advocacy for children in need, and unwavering dedication to making a difference,” calling it a “heartbreaking time.”

AGoFundMehas been established to help her family continue her “impactful legacy” of helping others through Kada’s Promise.

source: people.com