The mother of a UConn student killed by a responding fire vehicle Sunday morning spoke about her loss Monday.
"She's the baby and we call her baby," said Shiny Chemmarappally, mother of 19-year-old Jeffny Pally.
Chemmarappally smiled as she described the person her daughter grew to be.
"She can comfort anyone. She could just sit with you and comfort you," said Chemmarappally.
Police said the aspiring nurse practitioner was struck by a university fire vehicle when officials responded to a call around 1 a.m. Sunday morning.
According to police, Pally was sitting on the ground with her back against the garage bay door of the fire station.
When authorities returned an hour and a half later, the UConn RA was found dead.
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The medical examiner's office said the cause of Pally’s death is an accident. They said the student died from blunt injuries to her torso and head.
Relatives said Pally graduated from Hall High School where she ran track and field.
Her former coach Susan Curnias released a statement that read in part.
"Jeffney will not be defined by her sports or grades but by the loving, kind, graceful spirit she was and will continue to live in the lives of all who were touched by her."
While Pally's mother finds strength remembering her youngest of three, she eagerly awaits what the investigation uncovers.
"I have the rosary in my hand. I can't put this down for some reason. The moment I keep it down I tremble," said Chemmarappally.
She says her daughter sent a Snapchat to her cousin 30 minutes before the incident, and is desperate to know what could have happened to her smiling daughter such a short time after.
"Only thing I want is just to know the truth. The truth may be ugly. I don't care. But I just want to know the truth," said Chemmarappally.
Police said the driver of the vehicle that ran over Pally is a shift commander and has been placed on administrative duties.
UConn is offering grief counseling for those who knew Pally. A vigil in her honor is scheduled for Tuesday night.
