Friends, Family Mourn NH’s ‘Shining Light’ Drew Ceppetelli

Friends and teammates of Barrington resident Drew Ceppetelli continue to mourn her death in a car crash at the Portsmouth Traffic Circle early Thanksgiving morning.

Ceppetelli was one of six people, including driver Tyler N. Troy, 22, of Northwood, ejected from a Porsche Macan when it flipped several times as it came south from the Route 1 Bypass around 1:15 a.m. The condition of the other occupants is unknown.

State Police said speed and impairment may have been factors in the crash.  No charges have been filed as the investigation continues.

The 21-year-old was a senior at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island, where she was a member of the softball team and a health care administration major, according to the school. She was a graduate of Coe-Brown Northwood Academy. Her 22nd birthday was two weeks away.

”To know Drew was to love Drew," according to a GoFundMe page created by friend Jacob Miller. The money collected will go towards "something that will make Drew smile down on us."

Over $26,000 had been donated in less than a day of the fund first being posted.

"She was our backbone, an incredible leader, teammate, and friend"

The accolades for Ceppetelli have a common theme: her friendship and positive impact on people.

“The Salve Regina University softball team is heartbroken over the loss of our teammate and sister Drew. She was truly one of a kind and lit up every room she walked into. She was our backbone, an incredible leader, teammate, and friend," Shauna Mulkerin, Salve Regina's head softball coach, said in a statement. "Drew will never know how much of an impact she had on every person that was lucky enough to be part of her life. We miss her deeply already but know she will still be with us this season.”

"Your beautiful soul will be missed forever, through the thousands of lives you’ve hit in your short life time. Always love you and grateful I got to know you," assistant coach Megan Hodgdon wrote on her Facebook page.

The team remembered her infectious smile that made everyone around her light up.

"Our program is better because of Drew and we hope we will continue to make her proud. We love you Drew, give Frankie a big hug for us. Fly high lucky seven," the team said in a statement.

Frankie is a former member of the team, named Francesca Simone “Franki” Galeazzi, who died in March at the age of 25. Galeazzi's number on the team was #8 while Ceppetelli was #7, although they never played together, according to Galeazzi's father Dave on his Facebook page.

"A ray of sunshine"

"I have never met someone who had such an impact on everyone who crossed her path. Drew knew how to make everyone around her feel loved, appreciated and included. With such a devastating loss like this, it can make you appreciate everything around. Love you Drew Ceppetelli. Thank you for always selflessly sharing all of your love with those around you," Leah Creteau wrote on her Facebook page.

"We always call her a ray of sunshine because she truly was. She was positive, encouraging, supportive. When I tell you, you couldn't find a better friend, that was her, and I can't believe that our friendship has ended so suddenly," friend Mady Whittaker told Providence television station WJAR TV.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced by her family.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH