A compassionate, outgoing girl, Emily Watts would rarely be seen without a smile on her glowing face.
Family and friends were remembering the bright 17-year-old as a popular leader in her school with a personality that could light up a room.
"She was a beautiful girl, bubbly and full of life," her father, Andrew Watts, recounted as the family gathered at their Laurentian Drive home to reflect on a life cut too short. "We were so proud of her."
On Thursday night at around 10:15 p. m.,Ms. Watts was driving eastbound in a 2003 Honda when she stopped on Laurentian Drive to make a turn. A Ford Escape SUV was also proceeding eastbound when it collided with the Honda, which was engulfed in flames. Ms. Watts, the only occupant in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The SUV avelling, crossing the intersection at Petawawa Boulevard and jumping a set of railroad tracks before coming to a stop. Patricia Boyce, 28, of Petawawa, was arrested at the scene and has been charged.
Reeling from the tragedy that unfolded in front of their home the night before, Mr. Watts said he believes his daughter felt no pain at the time of the collision.
"I truly believe God put his arms around her," he said. "She's in heaven."
Ms. Watts was described by her mother, Joanne, as a sensible and respectful daughter who would have never rebelled against authority.
"She was always happy and very responsible," she said.
Ms. Watts had lived in Petawawa since her parents moved there six months after she was born at the Pembroke General Hospital. She attended Pine View Public School and found hobbies in dancing, horseback riding and yoga. The family attended Calvary Baptist Church where Ms. Watts volunteered in the nursery.
Students and teachers at General Panet High School were in shock Friday morning as the tragic news spread throughout the community. Principal Dean Zadow said Ms. Watts was connected to the school in every way.
She played a key role in the LINK crew which mentors incoming Grade 9 students. The high school senior enjoyed working in hospitality and cooking. Her post-secondary ambition was to enter the business program at Algonquin College. Just this week, she began volunteering her time as an assistant to one of the school's teachers.
""It would be difficult to find anyone who had anything bad to say about her," said Mr. Zadow. "She was always giving and helping."
The school has been devastated by the sudden loss, Mr. Zadow said. Grief counsellors have been brought in to assist students and faculty.
Renfrew County superintendent of education Deborah Rantz, a former General Panet principal, had taught Ms. Watts. She described her as an outstanding academic student with a great strength of character.
"She was a shining light," said Ms. Rantz. "She was just a sweetheart. Everyone cared for Emily."
Ms. Watts worked as a cashier for many years at Moncion Grocers Petawawa Market. With her friendly approach, she became well-known to many customers over that period, recalled department manager Brenda Roberts.
"Emily was a wonderful, wonderful girl," said Ms. Roberts, noting her employee was always diligent and showed up to work on time.
Ms. Watts loved her job and interacted extremely well with all her co-workers, Ms. Roberts added.
"We're all very saddened," she said extending the grocers' condolences to the Watts family. "She's definitely going to be missed."
In recent years, Ms. Watts took up dancing with the Stars and Motion Dance Studio. Kari Carter was her teacher until a year ago when she moved away.
"She was the biggest sweetheart," Ms. Carter said from Borden, Ontario. "There was not a bad bone in this girl."
Ms. Watts danced at competitions and most recently became a tutor.
"I've never seen anyone make mistakes in rehearsal and then get up on that stage and shine and just come alive," she added. "She just glowed, she was so amazing."
Police have remanded Ms. Boyce into custody at the Pembroke Regional Hospital. She has been charged with impaired driving causing death, driving over 80 milligrams causing death, dangerous driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death. Her bail hearing is set for Monday in Pembroke.
Funeral arrangements for Ms. Watts are pending. General Panet will be providing transportation for students to attend the funeral. In addition, the public school board will be making accommodations so her teachers can also attend the service.
Emily Watts is survived by her parents, Andrew and Joanne, her younger sister, Melanie, her aunt and uncle, Lianne and Gary Marchand, cousins Jeremiah and Cassie White, uncle Clarence Barink and grandfather Gerry Barink.
Sean Chase is a Daily Observer reporter