North Attleboro - The mother of the North Attleboro woman killed in a two-car crash on Route 1 in Foxboro early last Sunday says she believes her daughter was drag racing.

Kathy McGowan called the accident that killed Casey Hansbury "a tragic, tragic end to a beautiful girl."

"It was just so avoidable. If kids would just slow down ...," McGowan said during a telephone interview Saturday.

"Kids need to know speed was a factor."

State police say speed appears to have been a factor in the crash that killed Hansbury, 23, at Route 1 South and Pine Street about 12:20 a.m. July 8. The crash remains under investigation. State police say Hansbury lost control of her 2001 Honda Prelude in the left lane of Route 1 south, drifted into the right lane, rear-ended a 2005 Kia Sedona, and smashed into a utility pole on the right shoulder of the roadway.

"Speed was a factor. They estimate her speed at 90 mph when she made contact with the minivan," McGowan said.

McGowan said her daughter was returning home to North Attleboro from the Norwood Chateau Restaurant on Route 1 in Norwood, where she had worked as a waitress for about six months.

Hansbury always drove Route 1.

"She never drove down (Interstate) 95 or 128. Someone would have to take her," McGowan said.

"She was scared. The traffic moving around, she was nervous."

McGowan said the car her daughter was racing was "probably just some kids out."

"I'm sure they're traumatized. I'm sure they learned a lesson the hard way," McGowan said.

McGowan said her daughter "loved to race that car."

Hansbury was born in Newton. She attended school in Walpole, where she was a cheerleader, and played sports, McGowan said.

Hansbury has lived in North Attleboro and Plainville. She once worked at LA Robert's restaurant, on Route 1 in North Attleboro.

"She loved that job. They were very good to her," McGowan said.

Hansbury also loved animals.

She loved walking her dog Ruby. And she had a cat.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Hansbury's name to the North Attleboro Animal Shelter.

"She was a big animal person," McGowan said.

Hansbury also was very much in love with her boyfriend, Vann.

One message on an impromptu memorial at the crash scene reads "Vann + Casey 4-ever."

McGowan said Hansbury's loved ones plan to visit the memorial again today.

MICHAEL GELBWASSER can be reached at 508-236-0372 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.