'She was just enjoying living life to the fullest': Family releases emotional tribute to  teenage girl, 17, killed in car crash

By AIDAN RADNEDGE, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:47, 25 April 2026 | Updated: 15:48, 25 April 2026 The family of a teenage girl who died in a car crash today paid emotional tribute, describing her as an outgoing girl who was 'living live to the fullest'. Police are investigating the incident in Sutton Scarsdale, Derbyshire, that led to the death of a 17-year-old named by police today only as Summer. She was a passenger in a Vauxhall Corsa that left the road and was in collision with a tree in Sutton Lane last Sunday, Derbyshire Police today said. She suffered serious injuries and lost her life at the scene. A 19-year-old man, said to have minor injuries, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.  Police said the car's driver was since released on bail pending further enquiries.  Summer's mother Beckie has now paid tribute to her, saying: 'Summer was an outgoing young girl, full of life, bubbly, very chatty and loved being the centre of attention. She was very motivated and knew where she wanted to go in life.' She told how Summer had recently started working in a McDonald's outlet, feeling 'excited' about it while also attending college studying construction.  Summer, 17, died in a crash after being a passenger in a Vauxhall Corsa that left the road and was in collision with a tree in Sutton Lane, Derbyshire, last Sunday Summer's favourite aspect was said to be carpentry, with aims of ultimately going to work alongside her stepfather Julian.   Her mother also shared memories of her daughter's 'very playful character' - as well as a love for piercings, plus a scheduled first tattoo on her 18th birthday in October.  The family tribute shared today by Derbyshire Police also told how Summer's hobbies included 'eating out as she loved her food, going out with her friends and looking after her pets'. Summer had three horses, a hobby shared with her mother - with the family statement adding: 'They spent a lot of time together looking after the horses and Summer also loved her dogs. 'She was very family orientated and adored her little sisters Bonnie and Bella. 'Summer was an incredibly loved daughter, sister, niece and cousin. She was just enjoying living life to the fullest as a 17-year-old.' Summer's father aso told of how she loved baking and cooking, making YouTube videos, going to watch football club Mansfield Town and also 'being mischievous'. He also told how Summer was given the nickname 'Twinkle' by grandfather George, 'due to lighting up his day when he spent time with her'. The family tribute added: 'We are very proud to have Summer as our daughter and granddaughter. 'She was always smiling and lit up every room she entered with her twinkly, chatty personality. 'Summer's death has left a cataclysmic hole in her whole family's life and everyone who knew Summer.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.