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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - Students at the Thomas Simpson school in Fort Simpson are mourning the death of a former classmate.

Keisha Trudel, 16, died following a vehicle accident in Fort Smith where she was attending school. Alcohol and speed are both possible factors in the accident, according to a press release from the Fort Smith RCMP detachment.

Neither of the vehicle's occupants were wearing seatbelts when the vehicle crashed on the evening of Nov. 23. After the RCMP arrived on the scene Trudel was immediately taken to the Fort Smith Hospital where she died.

The young male driver, who cannot be identified, has been charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death.

Social workers and other members of the Dehcho Divisional Education Council's staff were at Thomas Simpson school on Monday and available to the students, said Robert Byatt, the school's principal.

"She was pretty close to a strong handful of kids," he said.

Trudel moved in and out of the village but her classmates were always excited when they'd find out she was returning to school with them, said Byatt.

"She attended daycare with some of the kids," he said.

A small memorial gathering for Trudel was held at the school on Tuesday afternoon. Students organized the gathering and designed programs for it.

"It's an opportunity for kids to get together and do some grieving together," said Byatt.

RCMP did not release any further information regarding the accident.