Former UNC student killed in car accident

EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to a reporting error, a previous version of this story said Jacki Taft died on N.C. Highway 86. The location of the accident was Old N.C. 86. The article has been amended to reflect this change.

Jacquelyn “Jacki” Taft spent her last night doing something she loved.

The 2012 UNC graduate and Chapel Hill resident attended a concert at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro before she was killed in a car accident in the early hours of Thursday morning. She was 22.

Her mother, Lori Taft, said her daughter loved all kinds of music, especially The Beatles.

“I don’t think a song could come on the radio without her knowing what it was,” she said.

According to the N.C. Highway Patrol, Jacki Taft was traveling north on Old N.C. 86 in Carrboro when her car careened off the road to the right.

After overcorrecting, the car crossed the center line, ran to the left, overturned several times and struck two trees.

Taft, who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, was killed in the crash.

N.C. State Highway Patrol Trooper Greg Mitchell, who responded to the accident at about 2:30 a.m. Thursday, said the results of a toxicology test are still pending.

“All I know is speed and seatbelt was a factor,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said Taft was alone in the car, driving at an estimated speed of 65 mph. The speed limit on the road is 45 mph.

Lori Taft said she will remember her daughter’s vivacious personality and her love of arguing.

“Jacki would not shy away from an argument,” she said. “And she would be quick with a laugh.”

Taft, who graduated from UNC with a degree in chemistry last May, worked as an pharmacy assistant and hoped to one day get a full-time job in chemistry.

“She was very proud of her degree,” Lori Taft said.

“Chemistry is not easy at UNC. She worked very hard and found it very difficult, but she struggled through it.”

Lori Taft said her daughter spent a lot of time helping others, and she spent one spring break in Honduras providing medical relief to the poorest parts of the country.

“She got a lot out of that for herself as well as providing assistance for those that needed it,” Lori Taft said.

Lori Taft said her daughter spent most of her time with friends, whether it was at concerts or hanging out on campus.

“She loved to be happy and busy and with friends and doing a lot of fun things,” Lori Taft said.

Lori Taft said she has already received an outpouring of love from her daughter’s friends, from both UNC and her high school, Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough.

“She’ll be greatly missed by all her friends and of course her family,” she said.

Managing Editor Elise Young contributed reporting.

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.