Teen dies in I-95 crash days after graduating high school in Riviera Beach

A 16-year-old girl who had recently graduated from Inlet Grove Community High School died in a crash on I-95 early Wednesday morning in Riviera Beach, just two days after celebrating her academic achievements. Florida Highway Patrol said Tory-Ann McFarlane was traveling northbound near Blue Heron Boulevard around 12:30 a.m. when she lost control of her car, hitting a guardrail and wall. Her vehicle stalled in one of the lanes, and as she got out and leaned into her backseat, she was struck by an oncoming car. McFarlane graduated Monday morning, earning a merit diploma and certifications in WordPress, EKG, and information technology. She was described during the ceremony as a first-generation student who skipped the eighth grade and had already started college at Palm Beach State through a partnership with her high school. In a statement, Inlet Grove Principal Francisco López said, "It is with profound sadness that the Inlet Grove Community High School family mourns the tragic loss of a beloved member of our learning village, Tory-Ann McFarlane … Tory-Ann was a brilliant and driven student who embodied the very best of our school community from the moment she arrived … Beyond her remarkable academic success, Tory-Ann possessed a beautiful, contagious smile, and a deeply kind and respectful spirit that lifted everyone around her." López said in-person counseling and grief support are available on campus, including meetings with the school’s mental health coordinator. He urged parents and caregivers to monitor children for signs of distress and to contact the school for additional help if needed. For immediate emotional support, students, alumni, and staff can call 2-1-1, a free 24/7 resource providing guidance and counseling. McFarlane’s family said she was a beautiful soul who had a way of making people smile wherever she went. They have launched a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of her memorial services.