'She was just such a beautiful person'
SEATTLE -- Hundreds gathered to remember a young woman whose life changed in the blink of an eye earlier this week.
The massive crowd that gathered prompted the closure of a city street. Those gathered were illuminated by candles and united by memories of Brittany Hollenbach.
"Brittany had an incredible 21 years of life and she lived every single day of it," said one speaker.
Hollenbach may not have known every single person present, but it appeared she had touched many lives at the University of Washington, where she was as senior.
"She was just such a beautiful person inside and out, and I know that you guys know that, too," said a friend. "She would walk in a room, and the whole room would just brighten."
Hollenbach, whom friends called "Holle," was a few blocks from home earlier this week when she was hit by a car just moments after stepping out into the street. She was taken to the hospital, where she later died.
On the steps of her Tri Delta sorority house on Thursday night, there was an outpouring of grief and support. Holle's family was front and center. Her friends shared songs and carried flowers.
The mourners recalled the girl with the beautiful smile who was a champion swimmer and a free spirit that lives on, they say, in their hearts.
"We were able to really see Brittany grow into the wonderful, incredibly strong leader and human being that she is," said one sorority sister amid tears.
Hollenbach was an organ donor , which will allow her to give life to others, her family said.
The driver that hit Hollenbach will not face any charges as he had the right of way and was not intoxicated.
The massive crowd that gathered prompted the closure of a city street. Those gathered were illuminated by candles and united by memories of Brittany Hollenbach.
"Brittany had an incredible 21 years of life and she lived every single day of it," said one speaker.
Hollenbach may not have known every single person present, but it appeared she had touched many lives at the University of Washington, where she was as senior.
"She was just such a beautiful person inside and out, and I know that you guys know that, too," said a friend. "She would walk in a room, and the whole room would just brighten."
Hollenbach, whom friends called "Holle," was a few blocks from home earlier this week when she was hit by a car just moments after stepping out into the street. She was taken to the hospital, where she later died.
On the steps of her Tri Delta sorority house on Thursday night, there was an outpouring of grief and support. Holle's family was front and center. Her friends shared songs and carried flowers.
The mourners recalled the girl with the beautiful smile who was a champion swimmer and a free spirit that lives on, they say, in their hearts.
"We were able to really see Brittany grow into the wonderful, incredibly strong leader and human being that she is," said one sorority sister amid tears.
Hollenbach was an organ donor , which will allow her to give life to others, her family said.
The driver that hit Hollenbach will not face any charges as he had the right of way and was not intoxicated.