Bridget Reagan’s sister has vowed to preserve the boutique she built as their Ohio community mourns the mother of three killed by a falling tree.
Bridget E. Reagan, 35, of Minerva, was driving a 2023 Jeep Wagoneer west on US Route 30 in Paris Township around 5:24 p.m. Saturday when a massive tree toppled from a wooded area and crashed onto her vehicle, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said. Reagan was pronounced dead at the scene.
“We’re trying to determine whether or not the ground was saturated, if the tree was rotted or things like that — everything points to being an act of God,” Lt. Johnnie Maier of the Ohio State Highway Patrol told WEWS.
“This could have happened to anybody, but in this case, it happened to a young lady with a family,” Maier continued.
Reagan owned Chic Haven, a clothing and home décor boutique in Minerva, where she was known as a vibrant small-business owner and community figure. Nate Meadows, the executive director of the Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce, told WEWS that Reagan “was a driving force here in town, just made Minerva a better place.”
“She was always positive,” Meadows added. “Even if things were not going great, she was always looking at what was the next best thing.”
The Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce offered its “deepest and most heartfelt condolences” to Reagan’s family, describing her as a valued member who brought “an incredible amount of energy, warmth, and joy” to those around her. “Her presence touched so many people, and the impact she made throughout our community will not be forgotten,” the chamber said, adding that the loss “will be felt for a very long time.”
Reagan also used her platform to support causes she cared about. In a Facebook post last year, she asked friends to mark her birthday by donating to SAVE22 Veterans, an Ohio nonprofit focused on supporting veterans and raising awareness about veteran suicide.
“I’ve chosen this nonprofit because their mission means a lot to me, and I hope you’ll consider contributing as a way to celebrate with me,” Reagan wrote at the time.
Chic Haven Boutique confirmed Reagan’s death in an emotional Facebook post signed by her sister, Kelly. “There are no words that could ever truly express the heartbreak and emptiness we are feeling,” the post said.
“Bridget poured so much love, time, passion, and pieces of herself into this business, but even more importantly, she touched the lives of so many people along the way,” the post continued.
The family said they would work to preserve what Reagan built. “We will do our best to honor her memory and the legacy she created,” the post said.
A GoFundMe created by Reagan’s sister is raising money for funeral and memorial expenses and to support her three children. “Bridget was a loving mother to three young children, and they were the center of her world,” the fundraiser said.
“She was also a deeply loved daughter, sister, and friend,” the fundraiser continued, saying Reagan’s death “has left an enormous space in the lives of so many people who cared about her.”
Friends and customers flooded social media with tributes, remembering Reagan as a kind and supportive friend who made time for others. One mourner recalled that Reagan was never too busy to offer a new mother advice or a listening ear, while another said she welcomed their family “with open arms.” Others remembered her as “such a light in our little community” and said she had “the kindest heart.”
One local business is now using Reagan’s memory to help support her family. Gardner Candle Co. Announced a memorial candle made in a fragrance Reagan particularly loved, with 100% of the profits going to her family.
“Some people leave a light behind that can never be dimmed. Bridget Reagan was one of those beautiful souls,” the company wrote, saying Reagan had supported the owner’s candle business and often partnered with her on local events.
In the viral moment that brought national attention to her death, Reagan was driving along a busy Ohio highway on an ordinary Saturday evening when a tree crashed onto her SUV without warning, killing her instantly in what authorities have described as a freak accident that could have struck anyone. The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate what caused the tree to fall, examining whether saturated ground or rot may have been factors in the tragedy that has left three young children without their mother and a tight-knit community searching for answers.
The GoFundMe for Reagan’s family remains active as supporters from across Minerva and beyond continue to donate.