Ashton Sweet: Honoring a life cut short
About 300 people gathered at an Irvine church Monday for the memorial service. Ashton was remembered as a caring and loving friend and daughter. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Elizabeth Sweet and David Pidcock, the mother and stepfather of Ashton Sweet, are comforted by family friend Catherine Milne, right, during a memorial service Monday. Ashton, 14, died after a car crash over Memorial Day weekend. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
A photo of Ashton Sweet is displayed at the church before the memorial. Ashton, 14, was a cheerleader at Northwood High who took time to help disabled children and offered to help a neighboring family in a time of need. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
At the memorial, friends and relatives of Ashton Sweet sang Amazing Grace. They dressed in green and white colors, her mother said, of renewal. They laughed and shed tears, prayed and told stories. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Ashton was pronounced dead May 31, two days after the crash. Her organs were donated and will save six lives, her stepfather said. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Ashton and three friends were being driven from a birthday party by one of their parents when the crash occurred. All sustained some injuries but have been released from the hospital. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
