Winnipeg teen killed in rollover was a soccer star, coach says

A 17-year-old girl killed in a rollover Saturday morning is being remembered for her big heart and her skillson the soccer pitch.

Julia Peters died early Saturday morning after her car hit the ditch and rolled over in Headingley.

• 17-year-old dead after rollover in Headingley

Her soccer coach Ian Holland said students from Oak Park High School are grappling with news of the death.

Holland, who has known Peters since she was 10-years-old, described her as a girl with a big heart and a strong soccer player.

He said she had asmile on her face all the time.

"She was a great defender. In 2012, Iwas part of the coaching staff of the Manitoba Summer Games team and she was on that team and we won a gold medal."

"She was fun to be around, herteammatesloved her."

He said Peters was looking forward to graduating high school this year.

"That's the real tragedy of this," he said.

Balloon release for Julia Peters

8 years ago

Duration 0:49

Mourners released balloons along the Trans-Canada Highway where 17-year-old Julia Peters died.

Holland said friends of Peters gathered to mourn Saturday night.

"I had them all over here last night," he said."They were all pretty upset."

Close to 150 friends and family members gathered near the site of the crash Sunday night. RCMP shut down one lane of the Trans-Canada Highway while mourners released balloons in memory of the 17-year-old.

AGoFundMe page was set up Saturday to support Peters' family.

RCMP continue toinvestigate the crash and don't believe alcohol was a factor. Police believePeters wasn't wearing a seatbeltat the time of the crash.