Dance teacher, 22, killed in crash at same spot as sister died in 2019

A 22-year-old dance teacher has died following a car accident in the exact same place her sister died five years ago.

Alexia Vecchiato tragically passed away a week after a crash in Udine, northeastern Italy, on November 7.

The accident took place in the same spot her sister, Gaia, suffered a fatal car accident five years earlier, at the age of just 21.

Alexia, from Castions di Strada, crashed her Renault Clio into the wall of a house before overturning at the spot her sister crashed in 2019, local media reports.

She was rushed to the Santa Maria della Misericordia hospital in Udine, but doctors were soon forced to declare her brain dead.

Gaia had been just 21 years old in May 2019 when she died instantly in an accident that occurred while she was returning from an evening with her friends.

She was in the passenger seat when the car went off the road and ended up crashing into a road sign.

There were four other young people on board, between 18 and 27 years old.

They were rescued and taken to the hospital, but none of them suffered injuries as serious as Gaia's.

Local media said that the young woman's family and their community have been devastated by grief once again.

Their parents agreed to have Alexia's organs donated so that other people's lives can be saved. 

The young woman donated her heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas and corneas, according to LaStampa.

'We thank those who were close to us for the respect, seriousness and professionalism shown,' parents Rosella and Rolando said, per Il Gazzettino. 

They thanked the medical teams who have 'allowed Alexia to bring new hope to many families', the outlet reported.

The dance studio where she worked said on social media: 'A piece of news we never wanted to hear.

'Rest in peace little star, protect us from up there and keep dancing always, we will dance for you from here and we will always remember you in the best way we can.

'You have never been an employee or 'a teacher of the school', you have always been part of the school, you have always been told that you were a daughter, a sister, a colleague, the only one to whom we gave the keys and with these included those of our heart.

'We love you and we will always love you. Goodbye, little angel.'

It is currently unclear why Alexia crashed, with the authorities investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Alexia had reportedly won a scholarship to study in Padua after impressing in modern dance.

Her goal was to reach the Academy in Rome, local media reports.

Alexia was described as 'tireless' in her pursuit of her goals. News of her passing prompted many warm tributes from those who knew her.

A funeral was held for Alexia on November 16 at a local parish church in Morsano.