Mother killed in I-35 crash remembered as 'a light' days away from taking next step in career

The community is remembering a mother and 5-year-old girl who were killed during a crash Wednesday on Interstate 35 in Oklahoma City. The owner of a local beauty college says 36-year-old Mercedes Bayne, who was a student at Bethany Beauty College, was just days away from taking the next step toward her career. "Mercedes was definitely a light," Sarah Lewis, the owner of Bethany Beauty College, said. "She was full of personality and just a wonderful woman who was trying to make the right steps for her family and for her children." According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Bayne was heading south on I-35 between Britton Road and Hefner Road when she swerved to avoid fallen debris from a vehicle. Her car then crossed the cable barrier and fatally struck a trooper. "I felt like I was punched in the gut, to be honest," Lewis said. Bethany Beauty School is mourning. Bayne had just finished her hours, and she was about to take her test to move forward in her career. Video Below: OHP identifies mother killed in triple-fatal crash on I-35 in Oklahoma City"I felt like she was taking a new step into her life, and then this tragedy happened," Lewis said. "Makeup was really her thing. She really enjoyed doing makeup. It was more of an artform for her." There's now a noticeable void at the beauty college left by a student who brought so much light. Video Below: Procession gives final ride for Oklahoma trooper described as 'gentle giant' killed in crash"It's just one of those days you walk in and feel the difference, and you reflect and think that's what a lot of the students have done today," Lewis said. "Just really reflect and think about how precious life is." Bayne was also a strong woman of faith. Her pastor told KOCO 5 that faith guided her life, and now the church is going to support her family. Top Headlines All-clear given after 'ongoing incident' causes 2 gates at Tinker Air Force Base to close Oklahoma State softball team's bus involved in deadly crash on I-35 in Noble County 3 people, including an Oklahoma trooper and child, killed in crash on I-35 in OKC: What we know WATCH: Deployed Iowa soldier returns home to tearful surprise reunion with 11-year-old sister Moonwalking astronaut predicted humanity’s return to the moon and beyond in 1984