Creighton University is remembering and mourning the loss of a fellow student.
A prayer service for 19-year-old Joan Ocampo-Yambing was held on campus Monday night and St. John's church was packed with hundreds of students and friends.
What should have been a day of fun with friends came to a tragic end when investigators say a semi-truck driver failed to notice traffic had slowed and slammed in to the car Joan was riding in.
Sol Kim, a good friend of Joan's, told WOWT 6 News said was on her way to Lincoln Monday to take in the solar eclipse when the crash happened.
"It's just so sad to see her gone and we'll be missing her a lot," said Kim. "She just always knew how to make people smile.”
Whether she was in their class, a friend of a friend or just a smiling familiar face, Creighton students are missing Ocampo-Yambing a sophomore from Rosemount, Minnesota.
"A mix of shock and just sadness I would say,” said student Adam Johnson told WOWT 6 News. Last night's service included prayers for three other Creighton students involved in the crash who are still healing in the hospital and for the family of Ocampo-Yambing.
Friends say her parents are in town because of move-in at Creighton. Some students said what is normally a time for campus to come alive again at the end of summer is now a time of reflection.
"The optimism that she brought, it was just such a bright light and it just…I guess Creighton will get a little bit dimmer."