A 19-year-old woman killed when a car struck her and a group of friends on the footpath outside a Wollongong club has been described as an "angel" and "beautiful".
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A Saturday night out ended in tragedy when Libby Ruge, an aspiring model, was critically injured and later died in hospital.
Ms Ruge died and two others remain in hospital after they were struck by a car while walking along a footpath near the Collegians Club and Overboard surf store on Saturday night.
Emergency services were called to the Princes Highway about 10.30pm on Saturday, after reports a Toyota Camry had lost control, mounted the kerb and struck four pedestrians walking along the footpath, before hitting a power pole.
Ms Ruge was found critically injured, with officers from Wollongong Police Area Command performing CPR until the arrival of paramedics.
Two other pedestrians, an 18-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, were also injured. A 20-year-old male pedestrian escaped injury.
They were all treated at the scene before being taken to Wollongong Hospital, where Ms Ruge died a short time later.
"'Rest in peace, angel" was a common theme among the responses to Ms Ruge's last Instagram post, as people posted condolences via social media on Sunday.
"Rest In Peace beautiful girl, forever grateful to have those few memories with you. In my heart always x," user trinity.vasquez wrote.
"So so upsetting heaven has gained an angel, may you rest in peace Libby Ruge, we love you," Chelsea Freitag wrote on Facebook.
Aileen Penrose also shared a story with the Ruge family via social media.
"It's with deepest pain I write this, but a memory I want to share with you," she wrote.
"I recall a happy memory from last year. Our daughters were getting their year 12 formal hair and make up done the same time.
"I will cherish the small talk I had with mumma Ruge, it was such an exciting day for all involved. Mumma Ruge spoke of how proud she was of Libby, how well she had studied. Libby wanting go to Newcastle uni (as it was the only place that offered that subject).
"Her formal dress was going to be off white (or silvery I think), and that her hair had to be just so.
"We had a giggle. Teenage girls are so picky and they don't realise they are all absolutely stunning.
"I didn't know Libby but from the passing conversation with her mum, I gathered she was a great girl who came from a good and loving family. Libby was stunning that afternoon and I'm glad I got to see her with her formal hair and makeup done next to her biggest fan (her mum).
"May her soul live on inside of you.
"Truly devastating. You have unfairly been robbed. My heart is breaking for you."
Wollongong Police District chief inspector Geoff Olsen described the incident as "terrible".
"It's a tragic event, and from what I understand they'd been out together socialising, and they all live in the Illawarra area and were simply walking home or to another venue," he said.
"The family were at the scene last night. They're devastated of course."
Oliver Aleman, acting inspector at Wollongong Ambulance Station said bystanders, police and firefighters attempted to assist at the scene.
"It's heartbreaking, a confronting scene," he said.
"People are having fun, young people are out and about, and things happen... Young people have got their lives to live, and unfortunately things like this happen."
The Toyota driver, an 18-year-old man, and front seat passenger, a 21-year-old man, were arrested and taken to Wollongong Hospital for mandatory testing.
The driver is also being treated for minor injuries and remains under police guard.
The passenger has since been taken to Wollongong Police Station where he remains.
A second passenger has also been assisting police with their inquiries.
Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit are appealing for anyone with information about the incident, or who has dashcam vision, to contact Wollongong Police or Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
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