USU
mourns loss of students, instructor
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By USU Media Relations
September 27, 2005 | Utah State
University is in mourning today after eight students
and one instructor died in a 15-passenger van
accident Monday. Two students remain in critical
condition.
The students and their instructor were returning
from an agricultural field trip near Tremonton
on I-84 when police say the van's left rear tire
blew out, causing the vehicle to skid out of control
and roll.
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NATIONAL
NEWS: Television cameras line up and a
student gets interviewed outside the Agricultural
Science Building as state and national media descend
on the USU campus. / Photos by Robert McDaniel
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Those who died in the accident are: Steven D. Bair,
24, Moses Lake, Wash; Dustin Dan Fuhriman, 22, Tremonton;
Justin W. Gunnell, 24, Providence; Justin Huggins, 22,
Bear River City; Jonathan Dennis Jorgensen, 22, Hyrum;
Curt A. Madsen, 23, Payson; Ryan Wayne McEntire, 22,
West Point; and Bradley G. Wilcox, 26, Salt Lake City.
Instructor Evan Parel Parker, 45, Hooper, also died
in accident. All students were studying in the College
of Agriculture.
USU students Jared Paul Nelson, 22, of Logan and Robert
Petersen of Elwood remain in critical condition in Ogden
hospitals.
"This is a great tragedy for the university and
for the families involved," said Utah State University
President Stan L. Albrecht. "We send them our love
and support. The university will do everything it can
to be helpful and supportive during this tremendous
time of need."
USU's College of Agriculture is saddened by the accident
at a time of celebration for the college. Ag Week festivities
began Monday and were to end on Saturday.
In light of the tragedy flags on campus will fly at
half-staff, and a candlelight vigil has been planned
at 7 p.m. Tuesday on the Taggart Student Center Plaza
(or inside of TSC in case of inclement weather).
Cody Bingham, the College of Agriculture senator, will
conduct the vigil and President Albrecht will give remarks.
White ribbons will be distributed during the vigil
as a symbol of hope for the students who are struggling
to survive and to remember those who were killed. A
memorial fund will be established in the students' memories
and donations will be accepted throughout the week.
The vigil is open to all and everyone is invited.
Other College of Ag Week festivities have been mostly
cancelled. Wednesday's Ag Day on the Quad will be held
from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and provide opportunities
for students to write condolence messages to families
and friends of the victims. University grief counselors
will be at the TSC auditorium to provide comfort for
the campus community.
"The College of Agriculture is a close community
of students," said Noelle Cockett, interim provost
and former dean of the college. "This is very difficult
for all of us, and our hearts go out to the families."
For more information about the tragedy or any Ag Week
activities, check the USU
Web site.
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