The 18-year-old, who had just graduated from Pipestone High School and had incredible plans for college, a career, and her life, died Saturday in a tragic accident east of Flandreau on Highway 32.
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Pipestone teen killed in tragic Highway 32 crash
Dorothy Darveaux shared this photo of her granddaughter, 18-year-old Davina Darveaux, after the two attended the production of Cinderella at the Prairie Repertory Theatre in Brookings this past Thursday night. “This was Thursday. It was a good day. I did not know I would never see that dazzling smile again,” she wrote. Davina was killed Saturday afternoon in a tragic pickup truck versus semi accident on Highway 32 just west of Flandreau. The Highway Patrol continues to investigate the cause of the crash.
The site of a two vehicle crash on Saturday, July 13. Davina Darveaux of Pipestone, MN was killed when a pick up she was riding in collided with a semi that was turning right
“All of the beautiful wishes and condolences have reminded us of how kind she was,” Tim Darveaux said Sunday evening, talking through tears as he and his wife Dorothy reflected on what they hoped people would remember about their granddaughter, Davina.
The 18-year-old, who had just graduated from Pipestone High School and had incredible plans for college, a career, and her life, died Saturday in a tragic accident east of Flandreau on Highway 32.
Darveaux was a passenger in a pickup truck that collided with a semi.
Another 18-year-old and close friend was behind the wheel.
“They had a great day. It was early in the afternoon when they were coming home,” Tim recalled.
While the investigation continues, what is known is that the two were returning home to Pipestone after enjoying a morning at the Summer Arts Festival in Brookings. The truck Darveaux was in was following a semi east off of the Interstate toward Flandreau. As the semi slowed about four miles west of town to make a turn south off the highway, the driver of the pickup truck swerved, and the vehicles collided.
Darveaux’s friend suffered only minor injuries. Neither the driver nor Darveaux were wearing seatbelts. The driver of the semi, a farmer with land in the area, was not injured.
Word of the accident and the loss of Darveaux spread quickly back home to Pipestone, largely because of how big and well-loved a force the young woman was and will forever be in that small western Minnesota town.
At a young age, Darveaux quickly became the face of her grandparents’ grocery store, Hank’s Foods, in Pipestone, working wherever she was needed. Customers recall her always being there with a smile. She was a driving force in the local dance, gymnastics, and theatrical community and was teaching gymnastics to youth in the area this summer. She had been one of the longest-running and valued team members of the Knowledge Bowl at the school, and she had an incredible voice.
Darveaux graduated this past spring with top honors and was destined for the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where she planned to study forensic criminology.
“Unlike her grandfather when he graduated high school and had no clue and was going down a bad path,” Tim recalled, “Davina had mapped out her future and knew exactly what she wanted to do. She applied herself to accomplishing her goals. Her senior year, she made appointments with her chemistry teacher at 7 a.m. because she was struggling with chemistry. She recognized that in the field she wanted to enter, she needed chemistry and not only wanted to pass but excel in it.” Her mother, Stephanie Darveaux, taught her American Sign Language at an early age, so she was fluent in ASL, English, and was also studying Spanish.
“Diva” is what they called her amongst the family, “because she was one,” Tim recalled with a chuckle.
Most who knew her might agree, but in every genuinely positive sense of the word possible — made known through the countless beautiful and sincere condolences flooding the family’s phones, email, and social media.
“She was very kind and she connected with people individually. If they needed someone to stand up for them…someone shared that they were being bullied in 5th grade and Davina stood by her and accepted her,” Tim said, recalling just one of the messages the family has received.
Pipestone Area School officials announced Saturday, within hours of the crash, that counselors, a social worker, and a pastor would be available Monday afternoon to assist students with their grief.
“I was very proud of having her be my granddaughter. She will be sorely missed. There will be a hole in our hearts. We’re all on this earth for a very short time and the next life is forever,” said Tim.