Lee County, Ga. (WALB) - Authorities are investigating a motorcycle crash that took the life of a Lee County High School student, Makenzie Jackson, on New Year’s Day.

According to authorities, the driver was trying to evade police moments before the crash.

The crash occurred in the 1700 block of Philema Road in Lee County. Moments before the crash, authorities attempted to conduct a traffic stop after the 19-year-old driver Michael Evans was caught speeding.

Instead of stopping for police, Evans tried to elude them and crashed into a trash can throwing himself and 18-year Makenzie Jackson off the bike. Jackson was found unresponsive at the scene and later died at Phoebe Putney Hospital. One of the victim’s closest friends, Abigail Allegood, says she’s still in shock.

“It was just really surreal. You never expect to hear that your best friend died. I was like this has to be a prank. I’d expect to get this call when I’m in my 50s or 60s, not while I’m 19,” Abigail Allegood said.

The victim’s father, Zachary Jackson says his daughter was loved by so many and he can’t believe she won’t get to receive her high school diploma this May.

“[Makenzie] had a bright future ahead of her and she would’ve never put herself in that position for anything bad like that to happen,” Jackson said.

”There’s so many things that [Michael Evans] could’ve done better to protect my girl. For his stupid mistakes, we are never going to have her in our life again. He could’ve let her off. If he wanted to run that’s on him. If you’re in charge of someone else’s life, you need to be sure to take care of that person and let them off. That’s all he had to do was let my girl off,” he said.

The family has set up a GoFundMe account to cover funeral expenses and if you would like to donate click here.

Authorities say Evans is facing several charges, including Vehicular homicide, DUI, AND failure to maintain lane. We are working to confirm those charges with Georgia State Patrol.

Evans is currently being held at the Lee County Jail.

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