9-year-old dies 10 minutes after posing with note – then police spot tragic mistake

9-year-old Payton Crustner was excitable before starting her first day in fourth grade.

Tragically, she wouldn’t even make it to the classroom before her life was ripped away from her.

Payton died after being involved in a terrible car accident. According to Houston KHOU TV, the picture of her, proudly posing with a sign, was taken just 10 minutes before the accident.

As per the authorities, 18-year-old Marcus Wayne Dukes was driving on the highway when he turned left and veered into oncoming traffic.

It didn’t take long for him to collide with the car being driven by 32-year-old Miranda Michelle Clark. In Miranda’s backseat were three children: 9-year-old Payton, her 16-year-old brother and an unidentified 3-year-old.

According to KYTX TV station, Payton was thrown out of the car during the accident. She was declared dead at the scene, having sustained severe injuries.

The authorities say that Mirada was driving with a seat belt, but Payton only had a lower belt on, one that failed to keep her safely strapped in.