Parents Of Winnetka Teen Killed In Crash Looking For Answers

(CBS) -- A suspected drunk driver with a previous drunk driving conviction ended their teenage daughter's life.

Now the parents of Sarah McCausland are looking for answers concerning her death. Her family spoke with CBS 2's Vince Gerasole.

Music was just one way Sarah McCausland managed to touch others in the 18 short years of her life.

"I think Sara had an amazing spark to want to learn and to create and kind of create her own style," said Andy McCausland, Sarah's father.

But an alleged drunk driver who fled the scene ended her promise. A freshman at Bard College in New York, Sara was killed along with a classmate as they walked with friends near campus.

From loving memories posted to her Facebook page to emotional tributes at church the support of Sarah's many young friends has helped her parents cope.

"It's meant beyond words that Sarah had such a strong impact on the lives of others and that they care enough about us and Sarah," said Andy McCausland. "For me it's worse when I wake up it's really quite awful just to know you will never see her again."

63-year-old Carol Boeck is charged with felony driving while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter, she has a previous conviction for drunk driving.

"It's very painful to think how someone could be so irresponsible both in drinking and in being so drunk to leave the scene," said Andy McCausland.

Now working through the grief her family holds on to the memories Sarah left behind.

"A very fun loving child fun loving creative a real joy to be around," said McCausland.

McCausland's parents say they know they can't legislate tragedies away but they hope stricter drunk driving laws might lead to fewer tragedies like the one that claimed their daughter's life.