The Chippewa County Sheriff''s Department has identified the 16-year-old female who died in a one-vehicle accident Wednesday afternoon north of Chippewa Falls.

Carrie Gjelhaug was driving a 2000 Dodge Neon on Highway 178 just before 5 p.m. when she asked one of the passengers in her car to hold onto the wheel while she removed a necklace, the sheriff''s department reports.

The vehicle moved left of center. When Gjelhaug tried to correct course, the vehicle entered the western ditch and overturned several times. Gjelhaug was ejected from the vehicle.

Neither Gjelhaug nor two passengers in the car were wearing seat belts. The vehicle also sustained extensive damage.

Chi Hi Principal Jim Sauter said that Gjelhaug had attended schools in the district her entire life, and she was a junior this year.

"She was a very energetic, friendly, outgoing student, and she is going to be greatly missed," Sauter said.

Students were informed this morning of Gjelhaug''s death.

"Our counselors are available to students and staff who need those services," Sauter said. "We will run a regular school day. It''s certainly going to be a sad day, a somber day."

Sauter said the news is devastating for the school.

"Yesterday, she was a happy, friendly student in our school, and today, she''s gone," Sauter said. "It''s just a tragedy."

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