Nationwide — Family, friends, and teammates gathered on Saturday to say their final goodbyes to 17-year-old Sanaa Vil, an African American high school senior from Brookeville, Maryland who tragically lost her life in a car accident on her way to school. Sanaa, a student at Sherwood High School in Montgomery County, passed away on October 2 after losing control of her vehicle and crashing into a wooden telephone pole near Norwood Road and Ashton Forest Way in Sandy Spring.According to WUSA9, that morning, Sanaa had picked up two of her friends to drive them to school, a gesture of kindness that her father reflected on during the service. Both passengers, also 17, were critically injured and had to be rescued from the wreckage by Montgomery County Police and Fire Rescue before being transported to a nearby hospital.
“She was being a Good Samaritan,” Sanaa’s father said. “She picked up her friends that morning because she always wanted to help. God knew why He gave her to us.”
Sanaa was an active student, known for her dedication both on and off the basketball court. She played varsity basketball, was a member of the Black Student Union, and participated in the school band. Teammates described her as a loyal friend, with one teammate, Adrianna Nnabue, sharing, “I’m so grateful for the time I had with her. I know she’s at peace now.”
In a touching tribute on X (formerly Twitter), the Sherwood High School girls’ basketball team honored Sanaa as “an instant flood of light in the darkest of rooms.” One of the passengers injured in the crash was also a member of the team.
Sanaa’s family shared that she dreamed of playing professional basketball and one day working for the FBI. Her ultimate goal was to provide for her father, a driving school instructor with over 25 years of experience. “She told me, ‘Dad, you work too hard. When I make it, you’ll never have to work again,’” her father recalled with emotion.
Sanaa is survived by her four siblings and her loving parents. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the funeral expenses.