'She was kind, she was brilliant': Family, friends remember Ingleside, Ont. teen struck and killed while cycling

Charlotte Light was supposed to start high school this week. Instead her family and friends are gathering to mourn the loss of the 14-year-old, remembered for her love of family, faith and a passion for soccer, theatre and dance.

Charlotte Light was supposed to start high school this week. Instead her family and friends are gathering to mourn the loss of the 14-year-old, remembered for her love of family, faith and a passion for soccer, theatre and dance.

"She was kind, she was brilliant," said Charlotte's mom Ashley Light. "She worked really hard at anything that she felt was worthwhile working hard on. That included her schoolwork."

"I would say her biggest passion was reading. She would read multiple books a week. She would read books and then reread them and reread them again," said Charlotte's dad Greg Light.

Charlotte was struck and killed by a vehicle while riding her bike along County Road 2 west of Long Sault, Ont. — about an hour from Ottawa — on Aug. 30. She was on her way to a friend's house.

Charlotte was wrapping up her soccer season and was going to be part of her school's dance team and part of three theatre productions.

"Her schedule was going to be jam packed, but she was pumped; she was ready for it," Ashley said. "Just being with her on the side of the road and just looking at her and saying there was so much she was looking forward to this year. So much. She was so excited for high school, so excited for the new challenges and activities she could participate in at school with her friends. She wanted to grow up so badly. She was so excited to become grown up, become independent."