In Loving Memory of Mila McDonald Gone Too Soon, Never Forgotten – Forsyth, Missouri
A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the community of Forsyth, Missouri, as the McDonald family mourns the devastating loss of their beloved daughter, 14-year-old Mila McDonald. On the night of Monday, July 21, 2025, Mila was involved in a fatal car accident that occurred just south of Hollister on State Highway 165. The crash not only took Mila’s young life, but also left two other teenagers injured, one seriously.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash happened shortly after 11:00 p.m., when a 16-year-old driver failed to negotiate a curve in the road. The vehicle veered off the left side of the highway and plunged into a wooded embankment. Trees surrounded the crash site, and first responders were forced to cut through them to reach the car and rescue the trapped teens.
The crash was severe. The 16-year-old driver was airlifted to a hospital in Springfield with serious injuries, and another 15-year-old girl sustained minor injuries. Mila, who was reportedly not wearing her seatbelt, did not survive the crash. She was the last to be removed from the vehicle, as first responders triaged the scene and worked tirelessly through the chaos of shattered glass, tangled metal, and flashing emergency lights.
For her mother, Justine McDonald, the night unfolded in an agonizing blur. She first received a call from the mother of one of Mila’s friends, alerting her that her daughter was trapped and unconscious. Mere minutes later came the devastating call that no parent should ever receive—her daughter had died.
“I was just trying to remain calm in the moment, but then the flood of emotions began to come—and it comes in waves,” said McDonald, recalling the surreal and gut-wrenching experience of standing at the scene, helpless, watching the rescue unfold under the piercing glow of emergency lights. “She was the last person taken out of the vehicle. It was surreal. We just stood there with all the lights going.”
Mila McDonald was a bright light in the lives of all who knew her. She radiated joy, confidence, and energy wherever she went. Known for her bold spirit and quick wit, Mila was “sweet and mean at the same time,” as her mother lovingly described—a spirited, loyal friend who loved with her whole heart and had a laugh that filled any room she entered. She had an undeniable presence, one that will be sorely missed in her school hallways, on the volleyball court, and in the hearts of those who loved her most.
Just days away from starting her freshman year at Forsyth High School, Mila had so many dreams and milestones ahead of her—first dances, driver’s licenses, graduation, and a future that now exists only in memory. Her mother shared the aching truth of that loss:
“I’ll always look back at my daughter as just a 14-year-old. And I look forward to seeing her friends grow up and mature and get their license and have babies and all that stuff. But unfortunately, I won’t get to experience those things with her.”
One of the most painful revelations for Justine was learning that Mila had not been wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash. “That blows my mind,” she said. “It sickens me and saddens me. I preach it every time I get in the car. My children know the importance of seat belt safety. I don’t understand.”
Despite the pain, the McDonald family has found comfort in the outpouring of love and support from friends, neighbors, and even strangers. Meals, prayers, hugs, and heartfelt words have flooded in, offering a small but meaningful lifeline during this unimaginable grief.
“It doesn’t make any of this better,” said Justine, “but it makes me feel better knowing that people love her the way I do. That they saw what I saw in her. And that her life won’t be in vain.”
In Mila’s honor, her family hopes her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of seatbelt safety, of being cautious on the road, and of holding your loved ones a little tighter. Plans for a community vigil and memorial service are being made, where friends and family will gather to remember a life taken too soon and to celebrate the unforgettable spirit of a girl who brought color and light to everyone she touched.
Mila McDonald may no longer walk among us, but her memory lives on—in laughter, in friendship, and in the hearts of all who will forever carry her with them. She was loved deeply, and her loss will be felt for a lifetime.
Rest in peace, Mila. You will never be forgotten.