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The teenager killed in a crash on the Hume Highway has been remembered as a girl who would do anything for her family, with her parents saying their daughter – nicknamed “Tassie devil” and a “little angel” – had a heart of gold.

Montana Russell died when the car she was a passenger in ploughed into a truck near Locksley, about 140 kilometres north of Melbourne early on Wednesday.

The scene of the crash and a supplied image of Montana Russell, 15, who died in the collision (inset).Credit: Eddie Jim; Supplied

The 15-year-old had been living in Wodonga for the past two years. Her parents were informed of the incident when police knocked on their door in Benalla on Wednesday morning.

Melissa Russell said the family was still coming to terms with what had happened.

“She’s leaving behind five siblings and they’re all devastated,” Montana’s mum said.

“She loves her family. She’d do anything for family.”

Melissa and Darren Russell, the parents of Montana Russell, 15, who died when the car she was a passenger in ploughed into a truck near Locksley.Credit: Alex Crowe

Montana was one of three people travelling along the Hume, in a vehicle allegedly taken from a driveway near Wangaratta, when it collided with a truck travelling in the same direction.

Police reported a 14-year-old female, the alleged driver of the Holden station wagon, was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital. She was under police guard with non-life-threatening injuries late Wednesday.

A 12-year-old male passenger was also taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Melissa Russell said the two girls had gone to school together in Benalla.

Darren Russell said that while he hoped there were consequences for the driver, it could’ve been any of them behind the wheel.

“They all got in the car. They all knew what was going on. She’s going to deal with it for the rest of her life,” he said.

Melissa said Montana loved her friends and five siblings and had a heart of gold.

“She was a daddy’s girl. I’d call her my Tassie devil. Her father’s from Tasmania and she can be a little devil at times,” she said.

Clint Sneddon, the truck driver involved in the fatal collision near Locksley on the Hume Highway on Wednesday morning.Credit: Nine News

“We’re devastated, still can’t believe it’s happening. You never think it would happen to your family until it does. And we feel sorry for the other people in the car and their families and we know what their families are going through.

“We’re just trying to get through each part of the day and be there for the rest of the kids and try to get answers.”

The driver of the truck, Clint Sneddon, told Nine News he felt terrible about the collision and that the car involved was driving very fast.

“I was sitting on 99km/h and they hit met that hard I got jolted,” he said.

Police said the two vehicles had been travelling in the same direction, with the truck in the left-hand lane, when they collided.

“I don’t know what it is with these young kids, I don’t know what they get out of that. Look where it’s got them — one is dead and two will have to suffer for the rest of their lives,” Sneddon said.

Victorian police have launched an investigation into the incident. Major collision investigation unit detectives are appealing for public assistance.

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