College Student Shot, Killed While Serving as Designated Driver on New Year's Eve

— -- A University of North Texas student died after she was shot while serving as the designated driver for her friends on New Year's Eve, police said.

Sara Mutschlechner, a junior from Martindale, Texas, had been attending UNT since fall 2013, UNT spokeswoman Margarita Venegas told ABC News.

Witnesses told police that Mutschlechner was the designated driver that night. She and several friends had left a New Year's party when a black SUV pulled up next to their car and exchanged words with them, Denton police officer Shane Kizer told ABC News.

The exchange was "peaceful at first," but the suspects then "made some comments towards the girls, and it escalated from there," Kizer said.

Two or three rounds were fired at the young woman's car, and Mutschlechner lost control and crashed into an electrical pole in Denton, Kizer said.

Police were called to the scene just after 2 a.m. and responding officers found Mutschlechner lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to her head.

She was taken to the hospital where she was on life support. She died the evening of Jan. 1, Kizer said.

The investigation is ongoing, Kizer said, adding that no one in custody.

Mutschlechner, who described herself on her LinkedIn page as an "avid movie-goer," majored in radio, television and film with a minor concentration in theater, according to Venegas.

She was also a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, according to its Facebook page.

Venegas told ABC News on behalf of UNT: "The university is saddened by the loss of one of our community members. Our thoughts are with Sara's family and friends."

Venegas said a student-organized candlelight vigil will be held tonight at 9 p.m. ET.