4 NC Wesleyan students killed in Rocky Mount crash
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Four college students were killed in a two-vehicle crash Monday night in Rocky Mount, the North Carolina Highway Patrol said.
The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. on North Wesleyan Boulevard just feet from the entrance to North Carolina Wesleyan College.
All four victims, Donesha Scott, 19, of Raleigh, Robyne Barnes, 20, of Conway, Kandis McBride-Jones, 20, of Littleton, and Quedeshia Brown, 20, of Henderson, were freshmen at the school and were in the same vehicle.
The driver of the other vehicle involved was transported to UNC Nash Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
First responders learned of the crash when an EMS crew happened to drive up to the scene.
North Wesleyan Boulevard was closed for a time during the investigation. The road has since reopened.
J. Edward Naylor, Vice President of Student Affairs at Wesleyan, said the students, all scheduled to graduate in 2019, were returning to campus from dinner. He said, “That’s all we know right now.”
“The entire Wesleyan family is mourning the loss of four of our own. These young ladies had enormously bright futures that were cut far too short,” Wesleyan President Dewey Clark said in a statement. “We extend our deepest prayers and condolences to the families in this time of heartbreaking loss.”
Naylor said Clark was traveling around the state Tuesday, meeting with the victims’ families.
“We loved them. We’re mourning. We’re grieving. Here we are family, not just students, we’re family and we lost loved ones last night,” said Emanuel Williams, president of the Student Government Association.
He says on campus, the four women, always together, were known for their warmth.
“One thing you should know is they loved everyone. They didn’t take life for granted,” Williams said, adding, “They’ll forever be part of our family.”
North Carolina Wesleyan is a small school with only about 900 students. Everyone pretty much knows everyone.
“We’re trying to grapple with what’s going on. We’re still in disbelief,” said sophomore Santanlia Scoggins when asked about the mood on campus. “It’s very heartbreaking for us. We never thought Wesleyan students would die in front of the college.”
Classes at Wesleyan were canceled Tuesday and staff was focused on helping students as they mourn.
“We have activated our crisis plan and our crisis team is present on campus. Right now our total efforts are focused on the NC Wesleyan community and the families of those affected,” a statement released by North Carolina Wesleyan College Monday night read.
“We ask for the prayers and thoughts of all people and ask the blessings and hand of Christ upon the families and friends of those we have lost,” the statement continued.
Naylor added, “Some are doing better than others but we have grief counselors and ministerial staff on campus trying to meet all their needs.”
A private vigil was held on campus Tuesday afternoon. The campus was closed. A public memorial will take place in next day or two.
“Today is it time for a student to gather and deal with this as individuals,” Naylor told CBS North Carolina.
The crash remains under investigation. No charges have been filed.
