FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WTVF) — In the Old Natchez Trace area of Franklin, Laurel Flaherty was killed after a tree fell on her car during a storm. The Belmont law student had just checked on her horse at a local stable.
She had a heart for the disadvantaged and the determination to make a difference, but her life was taken before she had the chance to make her dreams a reality.
"It’s a loss for everybody because the girl was going to do wonderful things." Phyllis Cervelli said.
Cervelli met Laurel when Laurel was a baby, and Cervelli was her horse trainer at home in Massachusetts.
"She was a beautiful equestrian," Cervelli said.
After high school, Laurel moved to Music City to attend Belmont University.
"She went to Tennessee to start her singing career, which was — she was a beautiful singer. And she ended up starting law school," Cervelli said.
Laurel also volunteered at the local nonprofit Saddle Up! In Franklin.
"Of course, your first response is just shock," Executive Director Audrey Kidd said. "It’s horrible to lose someone so young."
Laurel's experience with horses was invaluable.
“But the first thing that people remember about her is that she was a tiny person with a great big heart," Kidd said.
Saddle Up! helps children with physical and developmental disabilities. They will miss her.
"And thinking of her family, and what it must be like now to have this beautiful sunny day, and to think about just last night this tragedy happened — it’s just unimaginable," Kidd said.
The storm happened so fast, the winds were gusting around 75mph.
"It was very very dramatic here for a few minutes," Kidd said.
She was a bright life, snuffed out too soon.
"Laurel was a beacon of light; she was a giver," Cervelli said.
Belmont University issued a statement:
“Laurel Flaherty graduated from Belmont in May with her Bachelor of Social Work and started her first year as a Belmont Law student this fall. We are all devastated by today’s news, and we have reached out to her family, faculty and classmates to offer our support and deepest condolences. In addition, support services and resources are being made available for our campus community. I am again reminded of Psalm 24:18: ‘The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.’ Our prayers today are with Laurel’s family and all who knew and loved her.”
Fairview was hit particularly hard by the storms. A gas station canopy at Jingo Market collapsed from the strong winds.
Thousands of homes in the Middle Tennessee area lost power, but most have been restored as of Thursday morning.
