A
thousand gather to honor USU teacher and students killed
in crash
AT THE VIGIL: USU's
Kaho Fiefia and Sela Vi silently honor the dead.
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Story
and photos by Shauna Leavitt
September 28, 2005 | A young
bride, with flowers in her arms, graciously accepted
hugs, love and comfort from friends and family
gathered to honor her husband and the others killed
in Monday's accident.
Just before sunset, hundreds of USU students began
quietly gathering on the south side of the Taggart
Student Center for a Candlelight Vigil to honor
eight students and an instructor from the College
of Agriculture who died when their van blew a
tire and rolled off Interstate 84 west of Tremonton.
Some students whispered words of comfort, but
on the whole a reverent silence prevailed. |
Daniel Brown participates in
the candlelight vigil.
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Eleven roses were on display -- nine white roses to
represent the students and teacher who died in the crash
and two yellow roses to represent the students who remain
in critical condition.
"May we recognize the positive impact of those
taken from us," was the prayer given by Professor
Phil Rasmussen of the College of Agriculture.
Drew Roska, a close friend of one of the deceased, said,
"Curt [Madsen] was big into guns but he was too
kind to shoot animals, so he just collected them."
Rudy Tarpley, assistant professor from the College of
Agriculture, recalled victim Bradley Wilcox's email
name was "tractorboy100."
"He was excited about working with farm machinery
the rest of his life," said Tarpley.
"Justin [Gunnell] was willing to help anyone anytime.
He loved tractors and wanted to be a farmer," said
Dale Pratt a friend of Gunnell's.
Many friends were too overcome with sadness to share
their memories. One friend said, "It would be really
difficult for me to speak right now."
The agriculture systems technology and education department
(ASTE) was the home department for all students and
instructor killed in the crash.
All ASTE classes were canceled Tuesday.
USU President Stan Albrecht gave comforting words and
said, "It's OK to cry."
Associate Vice Provost Gary Straquadine encouraged the
family and friends and said, "Share with others
your pain, don't carry it alone."
Over 600 candles were lighted in memory of the dead.
A lone male voice sang Amazing Grace as the
candles flickered in the night.
Those killed were:
Evan Parker, instructor, Hooper
Curt Madsen, Payson
Justin Huggins, Bear River
Justin Gunnell, Wellsville
Dusty Fuhriman, Tremonton
Ryan McEntire, West Point
Steven Bair, Moses Lake, Wash.
Jonathan Jorgensen, Hyrum
Bradley Wilcox, Logan
Those injured were:
Jared P. Nelson, Logan
Robert Petersen, Elwood
MS
MS
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