The candlelight vigil in Korre Mitchell's honor will be immediately after the freshman football game Thursday at Patterson High School, on the Seventh Street lawn area.
 Korre Mitchell Korressa Mitchell, 17, was ejected from a 2000 Ford Expedition after the car veered off the road, at 3:15 a.m. Saturday on West Main Street about 384 feet east of Jennings Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The Ford overturned several times and landed on top of Mitchell before bursting into flames.
Passenger Jessyca Lopez, 18, of Turlock was transported by ambulance to the hospital with minor injuries and was later picked up by her parents, according to the CHP.
The highway patrol believes seat belts made a difference, though photos of the vehicle’s remains placed on the Web site MySpace show more damage to the driver’s side than the passenger’s side. Lopez was wearing a seat belt. Mitchell was not.
Mitchell and Lopez had been at a party before the accident, according to the CHP. Investigators are still trying to determine whether alcohol played a role in the crash.
Lopez was intoxicated at the accident scene, according to the CHP, and there were empty containers of alcoholic energy drinks found in the car. However, it’s possible that Mitchell may have been the designated driver, said Officer Tom Killian of the CHP.
“There’s a lot of what ifs, a lot of ‘What happened?’ until the toxicology (report) comes back,” Killian said.
What’s known is that the Expedition was traveling westbound on West Main Street and it crossed double yellow lines, narrowly missing a vehicle traveling eastbound before driving onto the southern shoulder and flipping over.
The crash site now houses a memorial, with homemade cards, signs and flowers.
Family friend Pat Dooley said he was thankful for the community’s “overwhelming” support. In addition to the memorial on West Main Street, he said many people and groups have donated time and efforts toward the funeral.  Flowers, candles and photographs left by friends near the site of Saturday's accident. Mitchell, the daughter of Marce Slazas of Patterson and Rick Mitchell of Hilmar, came to Patterson in May 1990 when she was six months old. The PHS senior had a passion for softball and cheerleading, and she liked to hunt with her father and go boating.
“She’s always been just there — always doing everything,” Marce Slazas said. “She’s a very well-liked little girl.”
Despite the tragedy, the family asked Principal David Stubbs and Assistant Principal James Lake not to cancel Homecoming activities at the high school this week.
“We know it’s homecoming and we specifically asked that they not change a thing.” Slazas said. “You just never know how much a kid can touch so many lives.”
Dianne Vargas, the high school’s guidance learning coordinator, said a homecoming rally Monday was a bit more toned down than usual.
Stanislaus County Behavioral Health Services counselors were on hand at the Patterson High School library to talk with students, Vargas said. Students could make cards and work on a banner in Mitchell’s honor there.
Counselors also spoke Monday in each of Mitchell’s classes. Though Vargas said some of Mitchell’s best friends were not at school, most students at the school are trying to get back to normal.
“Overall, they’re all coping very well,” she said.
Five teenage girls who said they were Mitchell’s best friends — Liz Brooks, Tawny Dooley, Shanae Munro, Kady Kirby, Gwen Valentine, and Amelia Nicola — released a joint statement Monday in Mitchell’s honor.
“Korre was the kind of girl who could walk in the room and have all eyes on her,” the group said. “She was beautiful inside and out and was full of life. Few understood her but everyone loved her. We grew to be more like sisters rather than just best friends. She will be forever missed.”
Former PHS coach and friend Teresa Valentine described Mitchell as a go-getter.
“Korre was Korre, and she never, ever apologized for it,” she said. “Even when she was little she knew what she wanted and she went after it. And as a coach that was difficult for the squad at times. But by the end of the practice we were all laughing hysterically at something she’d done, and nobody was angry or irritated because she sparkled.”
Family friend Nancy Passarelli of Turlock noted that it was obvious by the love and support friends and family had received that Mitchell touched many lives. Her aunt, Michele Slazas of Oregon, said she is greatly missed.
“She was our sunshine,” Michele Slazas said. “She was just a sparkle. Korre had her own identity. She could be ornery as ornery could be. No matter who it was, no matter if it was one of her cousins or one of her friends, she never judged anybody — she just loved her family and her friends.”
PHS cheerleaders, coaches and cheerleading moms will host a candlelight vigil in Mitchell’s honor immediately following the freshman football game on Thursday at PHS on the front lawn on the Seventh Street side of the campus.
Cheerleaders and coaches will hold red carnations and everyone who attends will receive a candle.
Students will make collages in Mitchell’s memory, and a public address system will be set up to give people an opportunity to speak. Donations from local clubs and businesses are being sought to cover the expense of vigil. Any money left from vigil expenses will go to the family for funeral expenses.
The family also has started a scholarship fund at Tri Counties Bank, 17 Plaza, in Mitchell’s name.
For information: 892-4098.
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A new soul
a gift to us this day
A simple request
with us do stay.
The time we get
is much too brief,
Our pleas are headed
without relief.
Our hearts now fill
with joy and tears
Knowing we
will have too few years.
Taken from us
by the wings of love
To join the Angels
in the heaven's above.
Souls long past
are there to meet
This brand New Angel
with arms do greet.
From your place aloft
now with Angels blessed
Forever in
an external peaceful rest.
The soul we lost
is high above
An Angel now
watching over us with love.
With Love - The Schornick's