A devastating head-on crash on Highway 58 Friday night has claimed the life of 17-year-old Samantha Mele, leaving her family, schoolmates, and two tight-knit communities heartbroken on the eve of Easter weekend.
The tragic collision occurred around 10:05 p.m. as travelers made their way home for the holiday. Samantha, a resident of Apex, North Carolina, was airlifted from the scene to MCV Hospital, where she tragically succumbed to her injuries.
Her father, Eric Mele, a well-known collegiate football coach, shared a touching tribute to his daughter shortly after the accident:
“Samantha was a special human who is now in a special place. God has big plans for Sam. He took her to Heaven the same day He did Jesus. Please pray for her to continue shining her light from above. We all have a new guardian Angel.”
— Love, the Mele familySamantha was a special human who is now in a special place. God has big plans for Sam. He took her to Heaven the same day he did Jesus. Please pray for her to continue shining her light from above. We all have a new guardian Angel.
Love, the Mele family 🙏🏼 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/S76r3cOO1m— Eric Mele 🏴☠️ (@STCoachMele) April 19, 2025
Samantha was the daughter of Eric and Melissa Mele, and her unexpected passing has rippled across both the local sports community and her hometown in Apex. Known for her kindness, joyful energy, and bright spirit, Samantha was a student with dreams, friendships, and a future filled with promise.
Though only 17, she had already touched the lives of many through her warm nature, compassion, and the deep love she shared with family and friends. Her death leaves a void impossible to fill.
The crash came just as families across the country were preparing for Easter celebrations — a time often associated with hope, rebirth, and togetherness. For the Mele family, it became the day they lost their beloved daughter — and, as Eric Mele wrote, the day Samantha was called to be with God, “the same day He did Jesus.”
Community members have already begun rallying around the family, sending prayers, condolences, and heartfelt tributes across social media. Support has also poured in from those connected to the world of college athletics, where Coach Mele has built a respected name.
Authorities are still investigating the details of the crash, which involved a violent head-on collision. No further information about the other driver or potential contributing factors has been released at this time.
Samantha’s memory will live on in the lives she touched. Her family describes her as a “special human” — a phrase now echoed by those who knew her.
In their grief, the Mele family finds comfort in the belief that Samantha’s light is not gone, but continues to shine from above — now as a guardian angel.
| Name | Samantha Mele |
|---|---|
| Age | 17 |
| Hometown | Apex, North Carolina |
| Parents | Eric Mele and Melissa Mele |
| Date of Accident | Friday, April 18, 2025 |
| Location | Highway 58, near MCV Hospital |
| Tribute | “We all have a new guardian Angel.” |
FAQs
Who was Samantha Mele?
She was the 17-year-old daughter of college football coach Eric Mele and Melissa Mele. She was known for her joyful spirit and kind heart.
What happened to her?
Samantha was tragically killed in a head-on collision on Highway 58 Friday night and died later at MCV Hospital.