Sulphur Police said speed and no seat belt usage were factors in the death of a Sulphur High School graduate who died over the weekend just hours after her commencement ceremony.

Major Jason Gully said a 2021 Volkswagen Jetta — in which 18-year-old Jesse Harmon was a front seat passenger — was traveling eastbound on Cypress Street when a 2011 Toyota Camry traveling westbound attempted to turn south onto Kent Drive. Gully said the Volkswagen scraped the front driver corner of the Camry, causing it to lose control and strike a utility pole.

The driver of the Volkswagen suffered moderate injuries and was transported the hospital. A back seat passenger sustained minor injuries. Harmon sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, Gully said.

Neither the driver nor the passengers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Gully said the Volkswagen was also traveling “well in excess of the posted 40 miles per hour speed limit” just seconds before the crash occurred.

Though standard toxicology samples were taken from each driver with results pending, Gully said impairment is not suspected.

After the announcement of Harmon’s death, a makeshift memorial of cards, flowers, teddy bears and balloons began dotting the landscaping around the intersection.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all those who were fortunate enough to know and love Jesse Harmon,” Sulphur High School wrote in a Facebook post.

“I realized there is truly no one like her,” wrote Julia McCurry, a member with Harmon on the Sulphur High School Twisters dance team. “She was hilarious, the absolute BEST story teller, and so kind to everyone.”

“She was the team mate everyone strives to be,” reads a post on the team’s Facebook page. “She supported everyone, worked hard for the person next to her, and was the most genuine soul. Every Twister who had the pleasure to dance with her will say the same thing, “there is no one like Jesse!”