CHEAT LAKE, W.Va. — Monongalia County School officials have identified a Brookhaven Elementary School teacher as the victim killed by a falling tree near Cheat Lake Monday morning.
Shari Austin, a fourth grade teacher at Brookhaven, was hit by a falling tree while sleeping in her bed around 4:30 a.m. Monday.
“She was a valuable member of the Brookhaven school family, and we are deeply saddened and shocked by her untimely passing,” Deputy Superintendent Donna Talerico said.
Cheat Lake Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jason Christopher had told WAJR that Austin was sleeping in the upstairs bedroom at the time of the incident. Her husband was out of bed at the time, and a child was present in the home.
The home is located on Pine Tree Lane, just off of Tyrone Road in the Cheat Lake area.