TRIBUTES have been paid to a “dearly loved” teenager girl who died in a fatal crash in south Essex.

Kelsie Stevens, 19, died at the scene of a single-vehicle collision in the area of Oak Road, in the early hours of Saturday morning, on May 25.

Alongside ambulance and fire service colleagues, officers worked hard at the scene after establishing a black Mercedes CLK car had left the road and veered into a ditch.

Sadly, a 19-year-old woman, now named as Kelsie Stevens, was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Her family have paid tribute in a joint statement. They said: “Kelsie was a dearly loved daughter, sister and granddaughter and friend to everyone that knew her.

“Kelsie worked as a lash technician. She enjoyed dancing, horse riding, cooking, baking listening to music and spending her time with her Dachshund.

“We have not made any arrangements at this stage regarding Kelsie’s funeral. All of us will greatly miss Kelsie very much.

“We request to be left alone and allowed to grieve at this very difficult time.”

Four males, aged 74, 54, 18 and 16, all from Billericay, and one woman, aged 20, from Rayleigh, were arrested after the crash and questioned in connection with the collision.

They all remain on bail with conditions whilst Essex Police’s investigation work continues.

The force is still urging any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

A spokesman added: “Our enquiries into the collision are ongoing.

“We continue to appeal for anyone with information or footage which could assist our enquiries to come forward.”

Det Sgt Steve Holmes, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, previously said: “This collision has cost a young woman her life and we will work tirelessly to establish what happened to cause her death.

“We need people who may have been on the road, in the area of Basildon and Billericay, in the hours before this collision on the evening of Saturday, May 25, to think back to what they may have seen.”

Alternatively, you can contact the independent crimefighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.