A Branford teenager lost her life in a tragic accident Friday night. Amber Knight, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck that occurred on SR 247 one mile west of CR 49.

Three others were in the vehicle, a 1995 Honda 2 door, driven by Benjamin Bartsch, 19, also of Branford. According to a report from Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) other vehicle occupants were David Joyner, 24, and Elijah Wilson, 19, both of Branford. Bartsch was airlifted to Shands at Jacksonville listed with critical injuries. The other two occupants received non life threatening injuries and were transported to Lake City Medical Center.

According to the report from FHP the vehicle in which Knight was riding was traveling south on SR 247, pulled off the southbound shoulder and attempted a U-turn into the path of a vehicle driven by Thomas Cerbo, 29, of Davie. The impact was on the driver side of the vehicle in which Knight was a passenger in the driver’s side rear seat. Cerbo was driving a 1990 GMC Jimmy.

According to the report from FHP alcohol was a factor and charges are pending.

Nell Lewis, co owner of Nell’s Restaurant where Knight worked told the News Amber had just gotten off work, and left the restaurant. “She was a real good worker,” said Lewis.

The tragedy has hit the Branford community real hard for this was the second bad wreck in two weeks. The first causing critical injuries to two Branford Elementary School students.

The death of Amber took the second child belonging to Debra Knight Holtzclaw in three years. Ryan Stapleton lost his life in a vehicle crash approximately three years ago.

Funeral services for Amber are scheduled for Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. at Branford Tabernacle. Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Co-workers at Nell’s Restaurant in Branford remembered Knight fondly.

“Everybody’s taking it very, very hard,” said Nell’s co-owner Charlene Joyner. “We have 25 employees and it’s kind of like a family.”

“She was like my little sister,” said co-worker Cheryl Adams. “She was real tough but she was a good-hearted person.”

“We’re going to miss her,” said Angela Tanner. “She liked to joke around. She called everybody ‘Sweet Pea’.”

The Amber Knight Memorial Fund has been established at Lafayette State Bank. Anyone wishing to contribute should contact the bank.