"She's so loved and I know wherever she is I know that she knows everyone loved her so much and her loss is so tragic because she was so young," said Leigh.
Deputies say that Emily had just left a friend's house Saturday at 5:11 p.m. and was walking northbound on the 29000 block of Pacific Coast Highway when she was struck by a blue 2008 four-door Mitsubishi Lancer, driven by 26-year-old Sina Khankhanian of Winnetka.
According to authortities, Khankhanian's car then hit a power pole and overturned after striking the teenager.
A preliminary investigation at the scene suggests that Khankhanian may have deliberately caused his car to crash, but authorities don't think he was aiming at the teenager.
"These are the centrifugal skids, which is the side of the tires sliding as the car is turning. Based on the length on those we can estimate the speed to an excess of 60," said Sgt. Philip Brooks of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Students who are on spring break have yet to absorb the reality of returning to school without Emily.
"She's a great person and I know everyone is going to miss her a lot," said Emily's friend.
"The time you spend with people it could be your last, so I wish I could have enjoyed her company more often. I miss her so much. I just can't believe she's gone," said another friend.
Witnesses say Khankhanian's driving was aggressive and erratic along Topanga Canyon Boulevard and PCH. Sheriff's Deputies say he had not been drinking but did admit to taking prescription drugs.
Khankhanian was booked at the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station for murder.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call the sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500.
