Sad News

[sigmagrrl]

Fraternity Van Crash in Arkansas Kills 2 College Students, Injures 12 Others
By JENNIFER YACHNIN

Two students from the University of Central Arkansas were killed and several others were injured when a van carrying 14 fraternity members, including three students from Hendrix College, crashed on Interstate 40 near Palestine, Ark., early Saturday morning.

Cpl. Kevin Stewart of the Arkansas State Police said an investigation indicated that Adrain Smith, a Central Arkansas student, had fallen asleep while driving the 15-passenger van. The westbound vehicle entered the median, returned to the westbound traffic lanes, and finally veered off the shoulder and rolled several times. Mr. Smith could not be reached for comment.

Several passengers were thrown from the vehicle. Brandon D. Davis and Gavin Morgan, both 20, died in the accident.

The accident occurred about 100 miles east of the Conway, Ark., campus. The students, all members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, were returning from Memphis.

Police said only Mr. Smith and Jeremy Owoh, a Central Arkansas student and the front-seat passenger, were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

In addition to Mr. Smith and Mr. Owoh, seven other Central Arkansas students were treated at local hospitals. Injured were Christopher Gordon, 19; Marcus Hughes, 19; Jason Mathis, 21; Deon Rhodes, 21; Demetrius Richmond, 23; Charles Robinson, 21; and Dorsey Watson, 19. Three Hendrix College students were injured: Brian Brewer, 22; Nkem Housworth, 21; and Mitchell Moore, 21.

[Hootie]

What a terrible tragedy. My prayers will go out to those who were involved in the accident, their brothers, family and friends.
My family lost a good friend because she drove late at night, unrested, and fell asleep at the wheel, so I can sympathize.

[dzrose93]

So sorry to hear about the loss of two young lives. I worry so much about my younger brothers driving late at night. Just last summer, a family friend lost her two sons at the same time when the oldest brother fell asleep at the wheel on a cross-country trip.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE everyone: Don't drive when you're tired. Pull over and rest a while. Getting to your destination a little late is better than never getting there at all!

[Tom Earp]

My heart goes out to the members of their Greek Organization and the Greek world as a whole!
It is always very tough to lose one of us!

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Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)

[prettypoodle6]

my heartfelt condolences go to all the family and friends of the young men involved, as well as the entire A Phi A family.

[DeltAlum]

Deepest sympathy to Alpha Phi Alpha, the chapter and the entire universiy family. This is a real tragedy.

It hits very close to home.

Eight members of the Delta Tau Delta Chapter at University of Northern Colorado were involved in an accident on icy roads in the same size van on the way to a Division Conference a couple months ago. The van skidded and dropped off the side of a twenty foot high bridge.

The outcome is much happier, however. Although it initially looked like there were some serious injuries, it turned out that none was life-threatening.

The accident happened near a small town in Iowa, and the town emergency workers, hospital, pharmacy and residents went far out of their way to help the brothers -- including some free lodging, meals and pain medication. A real human interest story which will probably be written up in the next edition of the Fraternity magazine.

In addition, on hearing of the accident, three undergraduate brothers, one recent grad and one sorority woman who is dating one of the men in the accident drove all night and the next day to bring the Delts back to the Greeley Campus.

Then the UNC administration was also very helpful and impressive with counseling for the chapter members and a visit to the next chapter meeting by the Dean of Students and the Greek Advisor. The Northern Colorado President is former US Senator Hank Brown who is a Delt from the University of Colorado.

Obviously, the chapter never got to the conference, but they won the Hugh Shields Award for Chapter Excellence which is given to the top chapters in the Fraternity.

Again, sincere condolences to our Greek Brothers of A Phi A. I truly wish that the story of your accident could have turned out as lucky as the Delts.

Fraternally,
DeltAlum

[Serenity]

My sincerest condolences to the families of these young men,their friends, and all the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. May you find comfort in your time of sorrow.