Mother shares memories of daughter killed in Canadian County wrong-way crash

Four young adults, including two recent El Reno High School graduates, died in a wrong-way crash in Canadian County, with authorities saying the driver responsible was under the influence. Among the victims was 18-year-old Haleigh Salazar, whose mother, Shirley Salazar, shared heartfelt memories of her daughter. >> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning Newsletter“She liked her perfume, her eyelashes, and I could walk through the house and find little pieces of eyelashes everywhere,” Shirley said. Shirley described Haleigh as a “girly girl” who had just transitioned into adulthood. “She did want to go back to school. Her goal was to try to be an ultrasound technician, or in the radiology department,” Shirley said. Haleigh was known for her determination and work ethic. “I talked to her yesterday morning — around 2:30. It was her only day off for the week, she was pulling doubles,” Shirley said. WATCH: El Reno teen and three friends killed in wrong-way crashHaleigh lived just a few houses away from her mother in Oklahoma City. Shirley recounted their last conversation, which took place over FaceTime after Haleigh drove by her house Thursday. “I must have just missed her, because she was walking out and she Facetimed me — and I got to Facetime her, I was on the phone with her for 55 seconds. I didn’t get to turn around. I should have, I regret it,” Shirley said. Shirley shared that tragedy has struck her family before, with heartbreaking car crashes taking the lives of her best friend and her brother in 2008. “I lost my best friend in a car accident, and I also lost my brother in 2008 to a car accident, so I’ve had some practice,” Shirley said. Despite the challenges Haleigh faced, Shirley expressed pride in her daughter’s resilience and generosity. “I’m proud that she took the time to do herself up, take care of herself, and have that courage to keep her head up — like I said, our family has been through a lot,” Shirley said. Haleigh was known for her kindness, often going out of her way to help others, whether by buying coffee or groceries for those in need. Four families are now grappling with the same devastating reality, but Shirley finds solace in knowing the friends were together in their final moments. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.“They didn’t go alone. They were friends, and I think that’s what’s going to pull us through,” Shirley said.Top HeadlinesFour dead, one critically injured after fiery wrong-way crash on I-40 in Canadian CountyDashcam video shows wrong-way driver moments before crash that killed 4 on I-40Video captures driver hitting 13-year-old girl with car while boarding her school busReaction to death of two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle BuschTIMELINE: Risk zone shifts some as storms bring threat of hail, low tornado risk late Friday