The community of Okaloosa County, Florida, is mourning the untimely death of 18-year-old Kadance Fredericksen, a celebrated beauty queen and dedicated philanthropist, who tragically lost her life in a car accident on February 17, 2025.
Fredericksen, crowned Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA in 2024, was driving her sedan on Highway 4 when she collided head-on with a tractor-trailer around 1:30 p.m., just minutes from her home. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash; the truck driver sustained minor injuries and was not arrested.
Despite a challenging childhood marked by homelessness and abuse, Fredericksen transformed her experiences into a platform for change. Adopted by her father and stepmother in 2017, she founded “Kada’s Promise,” a nonprofit organization that has distributed over 14,000 teddy bears and blankets to children across 23 states and four countries, offering comfort to those facing trauma.
A senior at Baker School, Fredericksen was an honor roll student, National Honor Society member, and active participant in the Baker Gatorettes Dance Team. She had been accepted into nine colleges and aspired to become a veterinarian, recently receiving a $40,000 scholarship from the Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation.
Her philanthropic efforts extended to raising over $25,000 for the Ronald McDonald House through lemonade stand fundraisers. In recognition of her community service, she was honored as Crestview’s youngest Citizen of the Year at age 14 and received eight Presidential Volunteer Gold Service Awards.
The Miss Florida USA organization expressed profound sorrow, stating, “Our hearts are broken.” Baker School plans to honor her memory with a candlelight vigil, celebrating her legacy of compassion and service.
