Utah State University Mourns Loss of Students, Instructor
September 27, 2005
Contact: John DeVilbiss (435) 797-1358, (435) 770-0511
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY MOURNS LOSS OF STUDENTS, INSTRUCTOR
LOGAN — Utah State University is in mourning today after eight students and one instructor died in a 15-passenger van accident Monday, Sept. 26. Two students remain in critical condition.
The students and their instructor were returning from an agricultural field trip near Tremonton, Utah, on I-84 when police say the van’s left rear tire blew out causing the vehicle to skid out of control and roll.
Those who died in the accident are: Steven D. Bair, 22, Moses Lake, Wash; Dusty Dean Fuhriman, 22, Tremonton, Utah; Justin W. Gunnell, 24, Providence, Utah; Justin Huggins, 22, Bear River City, Utah; Jonathan Dennis Jorgensen, 22, Hyrum, Utah; Curt A. Madsen, 23, Payson, Utah; Ryan Wayne McEntire, 22, West Point, Utah; and Bradley G. Wilcox, 26, Salt Lake City, Utah. Instructor Evan Parel Parker, 45, Hooper, Utah, 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, Utah, 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, Sept. 26 and were to end on Saturday, Oct. 1.
In light of the tragedy flags on campus will fly at half-staff, and a candlelight vigil has been planned on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. 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 where 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, www.usu.edu.
