Tributes paid to 'much loved' teenager who died in crash in south Essex

TRIBUTES have been paid to a “much-loved” teenager who died in a fatal crash in south Essex.

Kelsie Stevens, 19, died at the scene of a single-vehicle collision in the area of ​​Oak Road in the early hours of Saturday morning, May 25.

Alongside their colleagues from the ambulance and fire service, officers worked hard at the scene after observing that a black Mercedes CLK car had left the road and entered a ditch.

Sadly, a 19-year-old woman, now named Kelsie Stevens, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

READ MORE >> Teenager dies and five people arrested after crash in south Essex

His family paid tribute to him in a joint statement. They said: “Kelsie was a much loved daughter, sister and granddaughter and a friend to all who knew her.

“Kelsie worked as an eyelash technician. She loved dancing, riding horses, cooking, baking, listening to music, and spending time with her dachshund.

“We have not made any arrangements at this stage regarding Kelsie’s funeral. Kelsie will be greatly missed by all of us.

“We ask to be left alone and allowed to grieve during this very difficult time. »

Four men, aged 74, 54, 18 and 16, all from Billericay, and a woman, aged 20, from Rayleigh, were arrested after the crash and questioned in connection with the collision.

They all remain on conditional bail while Essex Police's investigative work continues.

Police are still urging any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

A spokesperson added: “Our investigations into the collision are ongoing.

“We continue to appeal to anyone with information or images that could help us with our investigation to come forward.”

Detective Sergeant Steve Holmes, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, previously said: “This collision claimed the life of a young woman and we will work tirelessly to establish what happened which caused his death.

“We need people who may have been on the road in the Basildon and Billericay area in the hours leading up to this collision on the evening of Saturday May 25 to think again about what they may have seen.

You can also contact independent crime charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.