Teen's bucket list goes viral online, after she tragically dies in car accident

Danbury, CT- A Connecticut teenager's bucket list is going viral online after she tragically died in a car accident.

On July 2, 17-year-old Rebecca Townsend and her friend Ben Arne were on their way back from watching a fireworks show in their home town of Danbury.

Townsend and Arne were crossing the street near a local pizza shop when the unthinkable happened. A car sped by slamming into the teenagers. Townsend did not survive the crash.

According to Daily Mail, the grieving family discovered a bucket list written by the teen while going through Townsend’s things.

The list contained three simple items, kiss in the rain, fly to Spain, and save a life.

Townsend was able to complete the other two items on the list, kissing her boyfriend Niko in the rain and visiting Spain with her parents.

After recovering in the hospital from the crash, Arne had some interesting news for the Townsend family.

According to the 17-year-old, Townsend pushed Arne out of the way of the oncoming car, receiving the brunt of the impact herself.

Victoria Townsend, Rebecca’s sister, told Buzzfeed News that Arne told the family the last thing he remembered was Rebecca telling him to “hurry up” and pushing him.

Tragically, Townsend was able to complete her bucket list, sacrificing her life for that of another.

Now the selfless teen’s bucket list is going viral online, and is inspiring others to pay it forward.

The Remembering Rebecca Facebook page has been filled with people sharing stories of how they’re paying it forward in Rebecca’s honor. From blood drives, to paying for another’s drink at Starbucks, the teen has inspired kindness around the world.

Townsend was set to attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall, and the Notre Dame Class of 2019 began a GoFundMe page in her honor, donating all money raised to the non-profit organization She’s the First. She’s the First sponsors girls education in low-income countries, and Townsend started a chapter at her high school.

“This is the least we can do to ensure that she continues to live on in our hearts,” the page reads. “We love you, Rebecca!”