A Tennessee high school cheerleader has died of a traumatic brain injury after a tree fell on her during a severe storm with winds of up to 75 mph.
Aleya Brooks, 15, was helping her family clear debris from their driveway in Hendersonville, about 18 miles north of Nashville, on Friday when she was struck amid a devastating storm that led to power lines being knocked out.
Brooks was rushed to Skyline Hospital’s trauma unit as she bled unconscious in her mother’s arms.
The Liberty Creek High School student was placed on a ventilator in critical condition with deep bleeding into her brain – along with head and facial fractures. She died the next day.
“This is not the end we hoped for or prayed for,” her father, Jason Brooks, wrote on Facebook. “We just stood there, held her hand, stroked her hair, and reminded her how much she is loved, even though she couldn’t respond.”
Aleya Brooks, 15, was helping her family clear debris from their Henderson driveway, about 18 miles north of Nashville, on Friday when she was hit by a falling tree
Brooks was rushed to Skyline Hospital’s trauma unit as she bled unconscious in her mother’s arms. Pictured: Aleya with her father Jason
Aleya was adopted by Jason and Darla from China when she was 9 months old. She had the ambition to become a neuropsychologist to cure brain injuries.
“It’s very difficult that our daughter, who wanted to hear so many, died of a traumatic brain injury,” Jason shared WZTV.
The teen was a competitive cheerleader, who previously tore her ACL.
“She wrote this essay about her torn ACL, and she said, ‘Mom, I want another story — that’s two years old,’ and I said, ‘Just pray for it, God will give you another story,'” Darla recalled.
She added, “I don’t like this story, but it’s her story.”
Jason remembered the devastating moment he saw his daughter die while he was with his family.
“Our beautiful, perfect princess was supported on a ventilator and fed on multiple IVs in an effort to reduce the swelling and pressure on her brain,” Jason wrote.
“The neurosurgeon could only say, ‘I’m so sorry. I’m very sorry. This is a terrible injury.”
After doctors failed to reduce Aleya’s brain swelling and stabilize her vitals, her family decided to take “the only possible course.”
“After a hard struggle, our daughter is now in the arms of Jesus,” Jason wrote in a mourning message.
As Aleya’s young life was cut short, her family will honor her legacy by raising money for the “advancement of care and research for neurological and brain disorders,” Jason announced on GoFundMe.
“Even after her passing, we want to help her carry on her legacy of loving people and making a difference in lives around the world…all while loving Jesus with all her heart and a light to the world is,” wrote Jason.
As of Monday morning, the fundraiser has raised more than $17,000. Her organs were also donated.
Aleya was adopted by Jason and Darla from China when she was 9 months old. She had ambitions to become a neuropsychologist and to heal brain injuries
The teen was a competitive cheerleader and attended Liberty Creek High School in Henderson, Tennessee. Pictured: Dona, Jason, Aleya and Nathanael Brooks
She previously tore her ACL and enjoyed telling the story. But after a few years she got tired of it and longed for a new one
Aleya was mourned by her family, Liberty Varsity Cheers and Long Hallow Church.
“I wish God would give you more time with us, but I trust in His plan,” her brother Nathanael Brooks wrote on Facebook. You were a shining light in our dark world.
“You taught us so much and I loved every moment with you. It’s hard to find the words right now, but Aleya, I love you for all that I am, and I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you.’
Families at Liberty Creek High School remembered that Aleya had the “most beautiful mind.”
“Aleya I will miss your beautiful smile the most and we may not understand why but one thing I do know is that you left a mark on this earth that will change forever and you came home to be with to be the lord,” Mylah Sha Bell wrote.
School counselors were made available to help students navigate the devastating loss.
“She wrote this essay about her torn ACL, and she said, ‘Mom, I want another story — that’s two years old,’ and I said, ‘Just pray for it, God will give you another story,'” Darla recalled. In the photo: Darla and Aleya
Aleya was mourned by her family, Liberty Varsity Cheers and Long Hallow Church. She was just as often remembered as a ‘light’
School counselors were made available to help students navigate the devastating loss. In the photo: Aleya with a cheermate
As Aleya’s young life was cut short, her family will honor her legacy by raising money to ‘advance care and research for neurological and brain disorders’
Aleya is one of three people killed by the storm that hit Middle Tennessee on Friday amid damaging winds and tornado warnings.
Thunderstorms and tornadoes threatened the state, leaving thousands without power over the weekend.
Another unidentified person was killed when a tree crashed into their car in Humphreys County, about 70 miles west of Nashville.
The third victim was also hit by a tree. No further information about the additional casualties was available.
Aleya is one of three people killed by the storm that hit Middle Tennessee on Friday amid damaging winds and tornado warnings
All three people died due to fallen trees. One person died after a tree hit their car. Pictured: A random fallen tree from Friday’s storm in Mt. Juliet, Tenn
Thunderstorms and tornadoes threatened the state and left thousands without power over the weekend
