Taylor Mae Stinchcomb, 15, couldn’t bear the fact that her parents were considering euthanizing her beloved dog because he had cancer. The Chicago-area girl had adopted the Doberman, Romulus, for her 13th birthday, and developed a deep bond with him.

She was so distraught, in fact, that shortly after midnight Tuesday she put the dog in her family’s minivan and she and a 15-year-old girlfriend took off. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that at some point Stinchcomb was too upset to drive, and her friend took over. The other girl lost control of the minivan at high speeds, and the vehicle rolled over and crashed into trees and a utility pole.

Romulus was dead, and Stinchcomb died shortly after, in the hospital. Miraculously, the driver didn’t need medical treatment. (Authorities say there was no evidence of alcohol or drugs.)

This case is absolutely heartbreaking, Lake County Undersheriff Charles Fagan told the newspaper.

Stinchcomb is described by her sister as “very outgoing, very warm.” This kindhearted girl didn’t want to say good-bye to her dog, and paid with her life.

One can only hope that she and Romulus are together again somewhere…