Teen Killed on Carnival Ride Was in Top 10 Percent of Class

ByEMILY SHAPIRO ABCNews logo
Monday, May 2, 2016

A teenage girl killed from a carnival ride accident in El Paso, Texas, was a student-athlete in the top 10 percent of her class, the superintendent says.

Samantha Aguilar, 16, a junior at Hanks High School, "was tragically killed when she was thrown from a carnival ride," Ysleta Independent School District Superintendent Xavier De La Torre told ABC News.

He says she was a member of the track team and in the top 10 percent in her class.

Patricia Ayala, the school district spokeswoman, told ABC News Aguilar was an "outstanding" student.

"The Ysleta Independent School District family is grief-stricken," Ayala said. "Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with her family and the Hanks High School community."

Aguilar was on a ride called the "Sizzler" Friday night when she and another girl were ejected, according to ABC affiliate KVIA-TV in El Paso.

The 16-year-old, who hit a metal barrier, died at Del Sol Medical Center, KVIA-TV reported.

El Paso Police spokesman Sgt. Enrique Carrillo told ABC News today the accident remains under investigation.

Related Topics