NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The mother of one of the women killed by an alleged drunk driver in a Saturday night crash on Gallatin Pike is speaking out.
Holly Wagner, 25, and Natalie White, 24, died in a crash that Metro police said was caused by 22-year-old Giovanni Bolstad. Records showed that wasn't his first run-in with the law. Bolstad had recently finished probation for a previous DUI.
"Holly just was a light to everyone," Holly's mother, Cynthia Wagner, told News 2.
Holly and White were two longtime friends — gone too soon.
"She was my best friend," Holly's sister, Leah Wagner, said as she fought back tears. "The best friend that I could ever ask for."
Leah said that she and her sister's lives were deeply intertwined, with the two sharing the same friend group.
"I just don't want people to have to feel the way that I am feeling right now," Leah said. "I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy."
Investigators said that Bolstad ran a flashing red light while leaving Rivergate Mall when the crash happened. They added that he smelled like alcohol and several open containers were found in his Jeep.
"If you live a reckless life and you cause someone else to die because of your recklessness, then you should be punished for that," Cynthia said.
She said she wants to work with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Cynthia also hopes to start a non-profit that would help students at Meharry Medical College because that is where Holly wanted to study dentistry.
Bolstad was charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication, vehicular assault and driving on a revoked license. Cynthia told News 2 that she plans to attend his first court date.
"Why would you do something like this and why would you drive so reckless — just have no care about killing someone else," Cynthia said. "Why? That's my question. Why?"
