Hollidaysburg grad killed in Ocean City
By Amanda Clegg, aclegg@altoonamirror.comKristen Stormer did not let much in life hold her back.
"She always believed if you didn't like the direction your life was going, you had the capacity within yourself to change," her mom, Karen Stormer, said.
The 23-year-old, 2004 Hollidaysburg Area High School graduate's life was cut short Tuesday when she was killed in a vehicle accident in Ocean City, Md., where she worked as a beach photographer.
Kristen Anne Stormer of 1409 Walnut St. was killed when a delivery truck hit her as she crossed Coastal Highway on a bicycle.
Police said she was in the crosswalk at the time of the collision, but had crossed against the traffic signal. The investigation is ongoing, but police said no charges are pending against the driver.
Karen Stormer said this summer was the first time her daughter worked in Ocean City, but she had visited there many times.
The Scopes Photography employee graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in May with a dual degree in English and journalism.
Karen Stormer said Kristen enjoyed the photo journalism classes she took in school and had the personality to walk up to strangers on the beach.
She said her daughter had many friends and the ability to get along with all types of people.
Friends are coming in from California, Michigan, Florida and Connecticut to pay their respects to a woman who could light up a room, her mom said.
Karen Stormer said her daughter's professors loved her, and she was looking into a couple possible jobs in public relations. She said her daughter also was weighing the options of starting a career or serving in a volunteer organization.
Karen Stormer said Kristen had health issues, but never let them get the better of her.
"She had no fear," she said. "I did all the worrying for her."
She was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Hollidaysburg.
Plank, Stitt and Stevens Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements.
Mirror Staff Writer Amanda Clegg is at 949-7030.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
