Former Miss New Jersey Cara McCollum Dies At 24

Former Miss New Jersey and current news anchor, Cara McCollum, has died after suffering injuries in a car crash Feb. 15. She was 24 years old.

McCollum’s family announced the sad news Monday saying she had passed away at 4:31 a.m. in the operating room.

McCollum, 24, was critically injured when her convertible spun off the highway in New Jersey and hit multiple trees before stopping at an embankment. Police believe that she may have been driving too fast on slick roads, and that drugs or alcohol were not involved. McCollum had been wearing a seatbelt, and the airbags did deploy. Her family thanked McCollum’s friends for their support on Facebook. “Before she died, Cara made the selfless decision to donate her organs. At this very moment, she is saving lives. We’ve prayed constantly for a miracle, and we believe God has answered our prayers. Although it’s not the miracle that we first envisioned, it’s a miracle nonetheless.” h/t people

News station SNJ Today, where McCollum was an anchor, posted their condolences.

“The entire SNJ Today family extends its condolences to the many loyal viewers, colleagues, friends and family of Cara McCollum,” they wrote. “Whether you had the privilege of knowing her or if you enjoyed her newscasts during her all too brief time with us, you know that her smile, determination and sincerity made her a beloved individual.”

“Cara showed warmth to everyone she met. She was a part of our news team family and we are gratified to have worked with her – even for such a short time. We will miss her terribly.”

New Jersey governor Chris Christie also tweeted his sympathies.

Our thoughts and prayers are with McCollum’s family and friends at this very difficult time.