Authorities have confirmed that Rockmart High School student Tori Luke, 14, was killed in a boating accident on Saturday. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Patrol Division said that Luke was riding on a tube in the Winston County area of Smith Lake.
The accident occurred at 5:45 pm Saturday.
Her father, Steve Luke, posted the following message on his Facebook Sunday morning.
“I am just at a lost! My soul, my rock, my girl, my sweet Tori. If you didn’t know her- she was always there for everyone, never spoke bad of anyone, wore heart on her sleeve, emotional, loving, and made me better. She hugged me before she left yesterday and I felt it! I felt the lightning hit yesterday in Rockmart, I spilt stain at the same time, and my phone rang- my heart dropped and I was gonna get a 3 hr drive in 1 hr. Half way I pulled over and got the news and a rainbow appeared. I just knew! We all say the same thing and think it can never happen to you, I feel everything crash in one moment. A freak accident! A godly angel she was and now is! As I rummage through her things and see quotes, notes for her biblical studies, messages about being a good friend and the word she has written down the most in her room- ALWAYS! I don’t have a clue- she touched my life like your kid should- it was a miracle for her to be here at 4 lbs and now a she is gone! Thank you for the out pouring and people at my house when I got home. I didn’t want to come home. I wouldn’t want anyone to go through this ever- I love you Tori so dang much!!! I was so proud of you not just sports but the person you became!!!
Thank you Everyone!”
Steve Luke has served as the head softball coach at Rockmart High School for the past 20 years. He is also a PE teacher, as well as the boys basketball coach at Rockmart Middle School.
His wife, Robin, is also a PE teacher at Eastside Elementary in Polk County.
The investigation is ongoing.
