Teen charged after 15-year-old Montana Russell died in a horrific car on the Avenel-Longwood Rd in Locksley

A 14-year-old girl has been charged after a “beautiful” 15-year-old teen was killed in a horror crash involving a truck in Locksley.

Montana's ex-boyfriend Toby has paid tribute to her following her shock death, saying he will miss spending time with her at the beach and playing Fortnight.

A 14-year-old girl has been charged after a “beautiful” 15-year-old teen was killed in a horror crash on the Hume Highway.

The 14-year-old was charged on Thursday with dangerous driving causing death and bailed to face a children's’ court at a later date.

It comes as the 15-year-old Wodonga girl killed tragically in the crash in Locksley on Wednesday is being remembered as the “beautiful girl gone too soon”.

Montana Russell was in the front seat of the grey Holden Captiva wagon driven by a 14-year-old when the car collided with a truck on the Hume Highway just after 8am Wednesday.

She died at the scene.

A male passenger sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital.

The 14-year-old girl was flown to hospital with minor injuries under police guard on Wednesday.

The 45-year-old truck driver from Tahbilk was not injured and remained at the scene.

Montana’s ex-boyfriend Toby Blanchard, 17, told the Herald Sun “no one deserves this”.

“It’s heartbreaking what’s happened. I’ll miss just being with her on the beach and watching movies and playing Fortnite all day,” he said.

Toby’s dad Aaron Blanchard said his son was shattered by the news of the teen’s death.

“He's pretty shaken up. He still cared for Montana a lot; they were together for a while and were very close. They just broke up in April this year,” he said.

“My young girls miss her tremendously. They‘re all pretty close.”

Mr Blanchard said Montana was like most teenagers and really enjoyed camping.

“She was always very happy, joking around. My favourite memory of her is when we went down to Killarney Beach in Warrnambool this January and went just north of Sydney to camp. “She loved adventures,” he said.

Mr Blanchard said his whole family and the community were devastated.

“It‘s awful like it’s a tragedy. Life lost way too soon.”

Montana's ex-boyfriend Toby said she didn't deserve what happened to her.

He says he will miss spending time with her.

A neighbour who knew Montana and asked not to be named said the 15-year-old was a lovely person who was “unfortunately unlucky”.

“May she rest in peace – it‘s something unimaginable no parent deserves to go through,” the woman said.

“She was only a young girl whose life was taken too soon.”

Benalla’s Yooralla Community Hub disability support work Chelsea Howe said it was a “very sad” situation.

“I don't know what you can say,” Ms Howe said.

“It makes you just wanna hold your close ones really tight.

“It's hard, especially when your kids decide to hop in the car, and they’re driving underaged, and then bam, this happens – you’ve got to hold them close.”

Another close friend to the family, who lives near the family home and didn't want her name published said the parents are in her thoughts.

“I’m feeling really bad for Melissa (Montana’s mum) – no one wants or needs to lose a child,” she told the Herald Sun on Thursday.

“Melissa and I worked together at the Northo and at the time I was her bestie,”

“Every time Montana saw us she always gave me a cuddle.”

Montana Russell has been remembered as a "beautiful girl". Picture: Facebook

Benalla Rural City Mayor Bernie Hearn said it is devastating what transpired.

“It's very difficult when any children are involved. It was a terrible tragedy. Our condolences to all the families involved,” she said.

Family and friends poured their hearts with condolences on social media, with one family friend, Tilly Portsmouth, writing, “This shouldn't have happened. Rest easy, darling, i will be with you soon i love you, gorgeous. Fly high, my beautiful angel.”

“She forever lives in our souls, and her memory will carry on by her loved ones,” wrote Shyanne Marshman.

Another close family friend Melissa Clough said, “Soul taken too soon”.

“I can‘t imagine the heartache the family is feeling. My heart brakes with you. I’ve watched her grow up since she was in nappies into the young girl she will forever be,” she said.