Sad News, CU AOII killed in hit and run

DeltAlum · #1 11-05-2001, 11:59 AM

I saw this really tragic story in this morning's Rocky Mountain News:

Hit-run suspect surrenders

Woman to appear in court today for accident that killed a CU student

By Owen S. Good, News Staff Writer

BOULDER -- A Westminster woman suspected of being the driver in a hit-and-run accident that killed a University of Colorado student turned herself into police on Sunday.
A judge set a $20,000 bail for Shana Lavon, 22, booked into the Boulder County Jail on suspicion of felony hit and run. Lavon is scheduled to appear in court this afternoon.

She is accused of hitting Jaime A. Frantz, a 21-year-old CU senior, as she crossed the intersection of University Avenue and Broadway at 2:45 a.m. Saturday. Frantz died at the scene.

Following a tip Saturday afternoon, police located Lavon's light blue Ford Escort, which lost its grill and a headlight in the accident.

Frantz, set to graduate in December with a marketing degree, was a popular member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. Sorority members spent Saturday grieving and Sunday planning memorial services.

"She was my role model," said chapter president Jenn Backhaus, who met Frantz when both were freshmen. They lived in the same dormitory and pledged AOP together. "She had a great relationship with her family and kept a balance between school and work. She was the most grounded individual I know."

Backhaus said she happened upon the accident scene soon after it occurred. The two and several other friends had been at a party and left separately. Backhaus left in a car and Frantz took a bus with Angela Edwards, who lived in one of five Grandview Avenue apartments Frantz and other sorority sisters rented.

Backhaus returned to the sorority house, then left with others to go to a convenience store. She at first thought nothing of the police lights at the scene since officers routinely stop drunken drivers on Broadway. But on the way back, they recognized someone from the sorority at the scene.

"We figured they'd witnessed a fight or something," Backhaus said, "then they told me (Frantz) passed away."

In the chapter house, members pieced together scrapbooks for a memorial planned for Tuesday. Flower arrangements and cards of sympathy from other sororities and fraternities dotted the parlor and sitting rooms.

"There's a lot of anger and confusion," Backhaus said.

Frantz had an internship with an advertising firm in Boulder, Backhaus said, and had hoped to be hired full time after graduation. She had studied marketing and finance, Backhaus said, but enjoyed the creativity of advertising.

Arrangements for a memorial weren't finalized Sunday, but Backhaus said the Tuesday service would be in either Mackey or Hale auditorium, possibly at 7 p.m. The service will be open to the public.

My condolences to her family and all of her sisters everywhere.

dzrose93 · #2 11-05-2001, 12:07 PM

My thoughts and prayers are with Jaime's family, friends and AOPi sisters. God Bless!

Greek Love,
Carrie

SigmaChiCard · #3 11-05-2001, 12:48 PM

you are all in my prayers...

The1calledTKE · #4 11-05-2001, 02:25 PM

Poor girl! My prayers will be with her and her family.

shadokat · #5 11-05-2001, 02:42 PM

Our heartfelt prayers go out to AOPi and their sisters during this trying time.

AOPiLaLa · #6 11-05-2001, 03:07 PM

Oh so sad now. My thoughts and prayers are with all the members of the Colorado AOTT chapter and I pray the strength of our sisterhood will keep them close. Hug your sisters and brothers today everyone

Sue_XO · #7 11-05-2001, 03:28 PM

My thoughts and prayers go to all sister of Alpha Omicron Pi. I hope this was not in bad taste but I went to their site

http://www.colorado.edu/Greeks/IFC/panhel/

and sent a note to their guestbook on behalf of Chi Omega. The memorial service is Tuesday.

Do you think it would be supportive if we all went and signed it to let them know Greeks across US & Canada are there for them?

Sue

AOIIAngel · #8 11-05-2001, 04:40 PM

My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to my Sisters in Colorado for thier loss. I agree with AOPiLaLa, hug your sisters and brothers today, for who knows what the future may hold. I hope the bonds of sisterhood help them in these times.

Much love to all my sisters and brothers,

dzrose93 · #9 11-05-2001, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sue_XO
My thoughts and prayers go to all sister of Alpha Omicron Pi. I hope this was not in bad taste but I went to their site

http://www.colorado.edu/Greeks/IFC/panhel/

and sent a note to their guestbook on behalf of Chi Omega. The memorial service is Tuesday.

Do you think it would be supportive if we all went and signed it to let them know Greeks across US & Canada are there for them?

Sue

I just visited and posted a message also. Thanks for the lovely idea, Sue.

Tom Earp · #10 11-05-2001, 04:56 PM

Sue, I also sent a note to them! It is a blow to not only the Sisters of AOTT but to the whole of Greekdom to lose a member in the prime of their life!

It could not hurt to let them know that we feel their pain also!

ladybug1116 · #11 11-05-2001, 08:15 PM

My thoughts and prayers are with all who were affected by this tragic loss...

AOIIBrandi · #12 11-05-2001, 11:13 PM

I just left a post too. I will be praying for them.

Hootie · #13 11-05-2001, 11:47 PM

How sad! They will be in my thoughts and prayers!

mmcat · #14 11-06-2001, 08:15 AM

my prayers are also with them during this difficult time.
mmcat

aggieAXO · #15 11-06-2001, 09:18 AM

Life is here and then gone in a flash. My thoughts are with the chapter and family.