ONLY ON CBS 17: Harris Lake boat crash survivor reflects on events one year later

APEX, N.C. (WNCN) — Sunday marks one year since a devastating crash on Harris Lake in Chatham County took the life of one girl and seriously injured her friend’s mother.

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A year later, one of the victims’ families is exclusively speaking to CBS17 as they learn a brand new life following the fatal crash.

“That’s what we call it, the new normal,” Jennifer Stehle, who lost her leg in the crash, said.

Day by day Jenifer Stehle is gaining more strength with the help of a picture sitting on her mantal.

“It keeps me focused on what’s important and that life is precious and not to take anything for granted,” Stehle said.

“We were packing up for the day we had a nice day out on the lake,” Jenifer’s Husband, Justin Stehle said.

Before leaving Brooklyn, Stehle and her daughter Brenna jumped into the water one last time to cool off. That is when they said they saw a boat quickly coming in their direction.

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“It just ran over top of them,” Stehle said.

Stehle lost her leg, and Brooklyn died on the scene.

“Just the agony, I can’t imagine how her parents feel,” Justin Stehle said.

The accused driver of the boat is 40-year-old Quinten Kight.

Kight was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and drinking while driving the day of the crash. His girlfriend and owner of the boat, Annemarie Flanigan, was arrested three days later and also charged with second-degree murder.

“We want justice for Brooklyn and for her family and for our family,” Stehle said.

Stehle said every moment since the crash has not been the same.

“Yesterday was the girls’ first day of middle school, and while I was happy that my child was starting her first day of 6th grade, you know I was sad that Brooklyn didn’t have that opportunity,” Stehle said.

However, Brooklyn’s best friends have made it their mission to carry on her legacy.

“She wouldn’t want us to give up,” Brooklyn’s friend, Brenna Stehle said.

Sunday, in honor of the one-year anniversary, Brooklyn’s friends will host a lemonade stand with all donations going to the Brooklyn Mae Carroll foundation.

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