CADIZ — The school year started on a somber note Monday in the Harrison Hills City School District, where students and staff are mourning the loss of seventh-grader Ana Zarkovic.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced that it was investigating a crash that claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl on Saturday in Freeport Township.

Following that single-vehicle crash on Old Smyrna Road near Ohio 800, Superintendent Duran Morgan released a statement informing parents and others in the school community that Zarkovic had died in the accident.

The statement describes Zarkovic as a “bright light in our community and an active member of our Junior High cheerleading program.” It expresses sympathy for her family, friends and teammates.

“Tragedy is never timely, but we are grateful that as a school family we will be together on the first day of school to support one another,” the statement notes. “In times like these, the strength of our school community makes all the difference.”

The district is providing support for staff and students in the form of counseling services and crisis support teams. Students and staff also are being provided opportunities to spend time together.

Parents who would like for their child to be contacted directly by a school counselor can call 740-942-7700 or complete a request form at go.hhcsd.org/guidancehelp.

If needed, students and their families also are urged to call or text 988, the Crisis Lifeline, which is available 24/7.

“Students, we encourage you to lean on your friends, teachers, and other trusted adults,” Morgan wrote. “Often you just want to be with other kids – and we are supportive of that.”

District leaders also asked everyone to keep Zarkovic’s family in their thoughts during this time.

According to the patrol, the deceased was driving a black, 2016 Kawasaki Mule Pro west on Old Smyrna Road when it traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a ditch. The side-by-side utility vehicle then overturned onto the road a short distance from the driver’s home. The crash also involved a 14-year-old passenger from Hopedale. That girl was treated for minor injuries at the scene, according to the patrol, and was then released to her parents.