Two best friends, Natalie White and Holly Wagner, tragically lost their lives in Nashville, Tennessee over the weekend due to a crash involving an alleged drunk driver. The incident occurred on a Saturday night, cutting short the lives of Natalie, aged 24, and Holly, aged 25, who had just moved into an apartment together, excited to start a new chapter as roommates. Both of them were HBCU graduates of Fisk University.
According to WLBT, the families of both women are grappling with immense grief. Mark White, Natalie’s father, expressed his heartbreak, stating, “This person took our baby away.” Both families and the community gathered on Wednesday afternoon at Fisk University, where the two friends had graduated in 2021, to honor their memories. The vigil, held at Fisk Memorial Chapel, was filled with friends, family, and former classmates who shared fond memories of Natalie and Holly.
Christal White, Natalie’s mother, described her daughter as “a ray of sunshine” and “the life of our house,” always bringing joy and laughter. Similarly, Leah Wagner, Holly’s sister, reminisced about how inseparable the two best friends were, saying, “When Holly kicked in my door, you knew Natalie was right behind her.”
Despite the overwhelming sadness, Cynthia Wagner, Holly’s mother, finds solace in the fact that her daughter was not alone in her final moments. “I know she’s in heaven, and I know Natalie is there with her,” Cynthia said. The bond between Natalie and Holly was so strong that even in death, their families believe they remain together.
As the investigation by police continues, many unanswered questions linger, leaving the families searching for closure. However, amidst the sorrow, they are also cherishing the love and memories they shared with Natalie and Holly. Mark White recalled his final conversation with his daughter on the day she died, which happened to be his birthday.
“At least I know the last thing I said to her was, ‘I love you,’” he reflected.
Mark White
Each year, thousands of lives are lost due to drunk driving incidents, with an estimated 10,000 fatalities annually in the United States alone. The tragic deaths of Natalie and Holly serve as a painful reminder of the devastating impact of driving under the influence.
