A 20-year-old girl died instantly when she crashed her car into a tree while driving home from a night out.
Elisa Scaletti passed away just after 2am on January 15 near her home in Villa di Tirano, Lombardy, in northern Italy.
Her 19-year-old friend, who was in the car with Elisa when she lost control of her vehicle, survived and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The crash happened just a day after Elisa's mother Monica celebrated her birthday which Elisa had attended with her older sister Sara and dad Massimiliano.
The girl, who previously studied at the Istituto Tecnico Tecnologico high school in Sondrio and was attending university when she died, was described by local media as a "constantly smiling girl with a sunny spirit which was always there for others."
Her mum Monica is a former member of the town council while her dad Massimiliano works as an electrician.
Franco Marantelli Colombin, the mayor of Villa di Tirano, said: "There are no words for such a big tragedy. This is the kind of news we never wish to hear.
"My son is one year older than Elisa and I cannot imagine the pain the Scaletti family is feeling right now.
"I know Elisa's mother well. She was a councillor of the opposition party when I was vice mayor as well as during my first term as mayor until 2021. Monica has always been correct and loyal.
"The thoughts of each town council member are with the Scaletti family."
Friends of Elisa posted their farewell messages on social media, saying "Rest in peace little joy" and "How difficult it has become to get old today!"
Another one said: "Rest in peace angel."
One more friend said: "I still can't believe it. I feel awful. Rest in peace, pure soul. We all love you, your friends and your family. I don't want to believe it."
