SAN ANTONIO — A Wagner High School sophomore whose car was rear ended by an 18-wheeler has died, prompting shock and grief Wednesday at her school and on social media.

Leslie Avalos, 16, was driving her Ford Mustang north just after 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 4000 block of Southeast Loop 410 when she slowed and was hit, police reported.

The Mustang was pushed by the 18-wheeler into a BMW that was being driven by one of Avalos' relatives, police said.

The 18-wheeler, described as traveling at highway speed, swerved to the left and went into the center median.

Avalos was wearing a seatbelt, police said. She was taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center, where she died.

The teen was a “real nice, real noble little girl” who never got into trouble, said Gloria Castro, whose daughter, Lauren Serna, was a friend of hers.

When Castro dropped off her daughter Wednesday at school, she noticed other girls crying.

“We are all very upset,” she said.

Counselors were sent to the school for emotional support, said Steve Linscomb, a spokesman for Judson Independent School District.

“It's a profound loss, and for students who don't expect that to be happening at their age, it blindsides them,” Linscomb said.

Classmates wore neon colors in Avalos' honor.

“I walk into the hallways and see literally every student wearing a neon shirt,” one student wrote on Twitter.

The other two drivers in Tuesday's crash were not injured. No charges were immediately filed, but police were continuing to investigate the wreck.

amalik@express-news.net

Twitter: @AliaAtSAEN