Elementary School Teacher Mourned After Freak Accident

A freak accident took the life of 35-year old elementary school teacher Caitlin Clavette in a moment.

"Life's so short, and we all take things for granted," said her friend, Jessica Wilfert. "I think we're all learning a huge lesson from this."

Clavette was driving on I-93 in Boston Friday on her way to Glover Elementary School in Milton, Massachusetts, where she was an art teacher.

As she exited the O'Neil Tunnel, a 200-pound manhole cover somehow became airborne, hitting her car.

Her death leaves dozens of friends, co workers, students and family members heartbroken.

"For me to say that I was Caitlin Clavette's friend does no justice," said Wilfert. "I feel like she was a friend to the world."

Although she spent a lot of time outdoors or in the gym as a triathlete, her biggest passion was her students.

"You could tell she was very attached to the kids, and they were very attached to her," said Sherman Roberts of Wheelworks Multisport Team. "She had a smile that would light up a room."

After the accident, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation inspected more than 900 manholes, sewer grates and electrical panels.

A spokesperson said crews did not find any threat to public safety.

So how this happened and how it could have been prevented are still unknown.

"She was the epitome of a person who loves life," said Wilfert.

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