Barrington, R.I. college mourn death of 'a shining light' who 'lit up every room'

Drew Ceppetelli (Courtesy photo)

BARRINGTON - The town of Barrington and a Rhode Island College community are both mourning the death of 21-year-old Drew Ceppetelli, who died early Thanksgiving morning in a crash at the Portsmouth traffic circle.
Ceppetelli, a graduate of Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, was one of six people in a 2018 Porsche Macan that rolled over several times in an accident at the junction of the Route 1 Bypass South and the traffic circle around 1:15 a.m.
Ceppetelli and three others were transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries, according to police.
Family, friends and teammates on Friday expressed their love and vented their grief on social media.
"We just can't process this news," posted Deborah Berry Bostrom. "Drew Ceppetelli was an extended member of our family. We are sending so much love to her family during this most difficult time. Until we see you again, sweetest Drew!"
"There are no words I can say that would make this tragedy go away." added Dee Brown. "Drew Ceppetelli you will always be part of the family and we mourn the senseless loss of your happy, laughing and kind soul! You made this world better and no one deserved to lose your shining light."
Ceppetelli was a student at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I., where she studied health care administration and played outfield for the school's softball team, according to the university's athletics department.
Shauna Mulkerin, Salve Regina's head softball coach, said the team was heartbroken.
"She was truly one of a kind and lit up every room she walked into," Mulkerin said. "She was our backbone, an incredible leader, teammate and friend."
"[Ceppetelli] will never know how much of an impact she had on every person that was lucky enough to be part of her life," Mulkerin added. "We miss her deeply already but know she will still be with us this season."
Salve Regina President Dr. Kelli Armstrong said counseling services will be available for students and faculty.
A Go Fund Me page with a goal of $22,000 had already raised almost $26,000 as of this morning.
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Thursday's crash marked the second death of a young person from Barrington in less than a week. Brett Holmquist was traveling westbound on Tolend Road in Dover early Sunday when his vehicle left the roadway and crashed. Holmquist, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene.