Want to send a supportive email but I'm terrible at these things.

I saw on the news that someone I was friends with in high school but haven't talked to in a couple years ran a stop sign, hit another vehicle, and the other driver was killed. The police are looking at pressing charges. The accident was her fault but I don't know all the details. I do know she is a good person and I can't imagine what she is going through right now. I would like to send her an email but I'm having a hard time coming up with what to say. 

I heard about the accident and I want to let you know that I'm here for you in whatever capacity you need me.

I'm probably being stupid and overanalyzing things, but doesn't that sound more like something you'd say to a close friend? I mean, I don't actually expect her to reach out to me for support, or even return my email. In other situations I wouldn't want to be the person who starts avoiding a friend when they are going through a hard time, but I also don't want to look like I'm all of a sudden trying to be her best friend.

I actually like jewels' suggestion. Your friend will likely not call you to talk about what happened but I believe it might be comforting for her to know that you care.

Your friend is definitely going through a difficult time. I try to keep in mind that when things like this happen, people tend to feel shame and guilt. Having someone from your past reach out and offer their support, may alleviate some of this pain.

Your friend IS probably going through a living hell. I would surely need as much support as possible. Be thankful that you are not dealing with it. Is your friend near you? In this situation, a "support" email isn't the same as a visit or a phone call. I don't think it matters whether you saw her yesterday or five years ago...

And if you can't find the words to say, then just tell her what you've heard. Ask her how she is handling things. Ask her if there is anything you can do to help get her through this.

Sometimes all one needs in life is an endearing friend with whom she can share all of her troubles.

And you are a genuine friend to care about someone you haven't really seen in two years.

I hope your friend will be OK and you will be able to contact her. I bet it would really make a difference.

Thanks for the advice. At first I wasn't even sure if I should contact her, but I definitely will now. We don't live near each other anymore, and I only have the phone number for her parents house where she used to live, but I'm going to email her and hope she's still using the same address.

I get so worried about saying the wrong thing in situations like this, but trying to put myself in her situation I would rather have a slightly awkward message of support than none at all.

Who knows, maybe this will be an opportunity for us to get back into contact again. But even if she doesn't want to talk to me at least she'll know I still care about her.

Whatever you do, don't put the words "man" or "slaughter" anywhere near each other if you choose to use them in the sentence.

I'm assuming you're being sarcastic because I'm obviously not going to send someone an email saying "Hey, I heard you killed someone, are you going to jail for manslaughter?" But she's actually getting charged with dangerous driving anyways.

Ignore katesorad. She's childish and immature. 

"Whatever you do, don't put the words "man" or "slaughter" anywhere near each other if you choose to use them in the sentence."

That was unnecessary.....Go play.