Katherine Karen Cady: Inexperienced driver wasn’t wearing a seat belt, state police say.

Hours after graduating, Giles High School's senior class president was seriously injured in a car accident while heading to celebrate.

Katherine Karen Cady, 17, of Goldbond, lost control of the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire she was driving and struck a tree on Virginia 663, a mile east of Virginia 623, at 9:35 p.m. Saturday, said Virginia State Police Sgt. Dirk Compton. Friends of the teen, known as Katie, said she was headed to a graduation party. The road where the crash took place, between Staffordsville and Eggleston, is twisting, gravel-covered and extremely narrow.

Cady had only been driving a year, was the only person in the car and was not wearing a seat belt, Compton said.

"We arrived and she had struck a tree," Compton said. "It's not known what happened. A deer could have gone out in front of her, or she could have been dialing a cellphone. It's unknown and under investigation. We may never know. It's just a shame."

Trooper Ashley Crigger is conducting the investigation.

Cady was airlifted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where she underwent surgery to remove blood clots and relieve swelling on her brain, said Ward Harris, youth pastor of Riverview Baptist Church in Ripplemead, where the Cady family worships and their daughter was active in youth activities, including a mission trip last summer to St. Vincent in the Caribbean.

Harris said Cady's family was optimistic, but as far as he knew, neurological tests to determine the extent of damage to her brain had yet to be conducted.

"They really have to get her stable," and she underwent a second procedure to relieve swelling Monday night, Harris said.

Harris said he had been getting multiple calls from people concerned for Cady and her family.

"They're distraught" he said. "They're very concerned for her, praying for her healing and praying that God would intervene and do a miracle, which is about what she needs."

No one answered the door at the Cady home Tuesday afternoon.

Carilion spokesman Eric Earnhart said the hospital cannot comment on the condition of patients younger than 18.

Cady was studying in the nursing program at the Giles County Technology Center, planned to continue there for another year after graduation and was interested in going on to medical school, said Kay Lucas, who heads the nursing program at the center.

Lucas said she was "devastated" after hearing of the accident and described Cady as popular and intelligent.

"She's different from other students in that she has a way with people that most people do not have," Lucas said.

Justin Criner, 17, of Pearisburg took Cady to the junior prom as a friend and served with her on the student government during the just-ended school year. He said he sat behind Cady during the 10 a.m. graduation ceremonies.

"She cried though the entire ceremony," Criner said. "I was telling her to calm down. She was always real tenderhearted."

Criner was president of the student government at Giles High School his senior year. Cady was secretary/treasurer.

"She's a real good person," Criner said. "Got voted the best personality. One of the most fun people I've ever been around, trust me."

Criner said Cady was extremely popular and that he has been getting numerous calls from people seeking news about her.

"I am AT&T right now," he said. "If she as much as gets moved, I have an enormous call list I have to take care of [with updates]. My phone doesn't stop ringing."

Staff writer Amanda Codispoti contributed to this report.