MANSFIELD — Nataleigh Everett’s friends describe her as a gentle, kind and feisty spirit. She’s the type of person who makes friends everywhere she goes.
“She’s loyal, she’s kind, she’s funny, she’s smart, she’s creative,” said Jillian Henry. “She brings people together, always gives the warmest hugs and makes people laugh.”
Everett is well-known throughout the community. She’s the manager at Mansfield’s Relax, It’s Just Coffee and teaches ceramics classes at the Tin Can Chandelier. She’s a local artist and a 2016 graduate of Ashland High School.
In the early hours of Sept. 16, Everett was riding her bicycle down a hill near Wooster. Her friend was riding in front of her. After hearing her call out, the friend turned to see Everett on the ground.
“We don’t actually know what happened,” her sister, Mallory Hirst, said. “His theory is she was either going too fast and hit the front brakes a little too hard or something ran in front of her and she swerved.”
Everett sustained severe injuries from the crash, including three brain bleeds, facial and nasal fractures, a broken collarbone and an injured wrist.
While she was conscious and able to speak with first responders, Everett later suffered a seizure at a nearby hospital. She was then life-flighted to Akron Hospital, where doctors placed her in a medically-induced coma.
“They’re just trying to help her body heal a little bit better,” Hirst said. “She’s young and healthy, so everyone is pretty hopeful that she’s going to make a full recovery.”
How you can help Nataleigh
Everett’s impact on the community was evident in the hours and days after the accident. A GoFundMe page to help cover her medical expenses had raised more than $30,000 from nearly 600 donors as of Thursday.
“We trust that the doctors are doing what they need to do, and what we can do is just rally together as a community and show our support in any way that we can,” said Henry, who launched the fundraiser.
“It’s been really cool the way that people have shown their love for her, and it’s made me really proud to be from Mansfield, to see the way that they’ve rallied around their favorite barista.
“It’s just a really great place to live when you know that when you need something, people will look out for you.”
Henry said the funds will be used to help Everett cover medical and living expenses while she recovers. At 26, she’d just recently gotten off her parent’s health insurance.
“It’s really great to know that when Natalie recovers and is able to come home, that we’ve done our part to help alleviate this small element of the burden that she’s going to have in the process of healing,” Henry said.
Fresh Grounds, a coffee shop located at 1621 W Fourth Street in Ontario, announced via Facebook Wednesday that its next poetry night will benefit Everett. That event will take place Sept. 28 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Entry will be $5. All proceeds, including tips, will go to Everett.
In addition to the GoFundMe, Everett’s former bandmates are reuniting to host a benefit concert.
Gutter Catz will play in the basement of the Richland Source building on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. Entry is $10. The building is located at 40 West Fourth Street; the entrance to the basement is in the alley at the rear of the building.
Henry is collecting items for a silent auction during the concert. Anyone who wants to donate can email jillian@mansfieldtickets.com.
How is Nataleigh now?
On Wednesday, Everett underwent surgery for a fractured clavicle. Hirst told Richland Source on Thursday that the surgery went well.
Per an update from Hirst on the GoFundMe page, Everett was awake as of Thursday.
“She is awake and loopy and tired, but she is Nat. I think she’s going to be just fine,” the update read. “She’s been a little sassy — which has been refreshing!
“She’s still in the ICU, but this progress means she will likely be moving in the coming week.”
As of the time of publication, it’s unclear how long Everett will need to remain in the hospital or the extent of the long-term care necessary for her recovery and rehabilitation.
Additional updates on Nataleigh’s recovery can be found on her GoFundMe page under “Updates.”
