ELKHART — The Memorial High School student who died Friday in a traffic accident has been identified as Maria Ramirez, according to a press release Saturday from the Elkhart Police Department.

Ramirez died at Elkhart General Hospital from multiple blunt force injuries a little after 9 a.m., said John White, Elkhart County coroner.

Ramirez was a passenger in a car driven by Christian Castro when it was involved in a traffic accident with a sport-utility vehicle on John Weaver Parkway south of C.R. 6, according to police.

Castro was taken to Memorial Hospital in South Bend. As of Saturday afternoon, he was listed in critical condition.

The accident happened around 7:40 a.m. and left a portion of John Weaver Parkway closed for more than three hours.

The driver of the SUV was treated at EGH and released.

Ramirez was a freshman at Memorial, said Doug Thorne, executive director of personnel and legal services for Elkhart Community Schools. He said additional counselors would be made available at school Monday to students grieving Ramirez’s loss.

Friends of Ramirez posted comments about her on Facebook and Twitter, expressing their sorrow and well wishes for her family.

“Rest in peace, my best friend. You will always be in my heart. I will miss you and never forget you,” commented Kaylee Nunez via Facebook.

Kodie Wells, also commented about the accident on Facebook.

“She will be with God. She was a good girl, I knew her and she was such a happy girl Maria R. will be missed.”

Paulina Mayagoita, a friend of Ramirez through their church, Praise Chapel, said Ramirez was always “smiling, with such a good attitude.”

“I remember she would always talk to us about school and she was always so happy, I don’t think I ever saw her sad. ... Monse was a blessing. We will all miss her,” she said.