A 17-year-old Ankeny High School senior was killed early Sunday morning in a motorcycle crash in Saylor Township.

Jordan Leon, 17, was the passenger on the motorcycle that crashed in the 7100 block of Northwest Sixth Drive, shortly after midnight. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver, a 17-year-old boy, reportedly had minor injuries. The driver's name has not been released.

Leon's friends on Monday described her as a kind, caring and smart person who was well-liked by classmates.

"Everybody loved her that knew her," said Ella Morris, a 17-year-old Ankeny High School senior. "She was just a very kind person. I don’t know anybody that didn’t respect her."

Leon, who was partially deaf and had a sign language interpreter with her in class, spearheaded the start of a sign language club at Ankeny High School last year, Morris said. Several people began attending and enjoyed showing Leon the signs they had practiced.

The Ankeny Community School District released a statement Monday:

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with Jordan's family and friends. The school is working closely with the family to ensure they are supported through this difficult time. We have counselors available for students and staff as we deal with the loss in our school family."

Attempts to reach Leon's family Monday were unsuccessful.

Silje Stroem, 17, another Ankeny High senior, met Leon in an anatomy class after moving to the U.S. from Denmark last summer.

"She was very welcoming," Stroem said. "She showed me around and everything."

The motorcycle was the only vehicle involved in the wreck, and deputies are investigating the cause. Authorities believe speed contributed to the crash, according to the release.

Stroem and Morris both said the shock hung over the senior class throughout the school day on Monday.

"Everyone was down," Stroem said.

Ian Richardson covers Ankeny and Altoona for the Register. Reach him at irichardson@registermedia.com, at 515-284-8254, or on Twitter at @DMRIanR.

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