A devastating car crash in South Carolina has tragically claimed the lives of two East Carolina University (ECU) students and another individual. The incident, which occurred on Friday, has also left two other ECU students hospitalized with serious injuries.
According to reports from the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the fatal collision took place on U.S. 15 in Orangeburg County. The location was just east of the junction between Interstate 26 and Interstate 95, a busy area in South Carolina. The crash involved two vehicles and resulted in the death of three individuals at the scene.
The Orangeburg County Coroner’s office has identified the victims as Shea Crothers, 22, from Charlotte, North Carolina; James Stanley, 18, from Sneads Ferry, North Carolina; and Walter Lee Prezzy Jr., 51, from Holly Hill, South Carolina. Crothers and Stanley were confirmed to be students at East Carolina University and were passengers in one of the vehicles involved. Walter Lee Prezzy Jr. was the driver of the second car.
University officials have confirmed that all four ECU students involved in the car crash are part of the university’s fraternity and sorority community. The news has deeply impacted the ECU campus and surrounding community.
Chancellor Cecil Staton expressed the university’s profound grief, stating, “There are no words to express the amount of sadness we are feeling today. This is truly devastating news, and we ask that all Pirates come together and join me in holding these students and their families deeply in our hearts and prayers during this unspeakable time.”
Dr. Virginia Hardy, vice chancellor for student affairs, emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting students, faculty, and staff during this difficult period. “The full breadth of our staff and resources will be available to the students, faculty and staff on our campus,” Dr. Hardy stated. “We will have crisis counselors as well as members of the Dean of Students Office, the Division of Student Affairs and ECU’s entire community ready to assist our students through this tragic time.”
East Carolina University is providing crisis counseling services throughout the upcoming week at the ECU Center for Counseling and Student Development in Umstead Hall. Students needing immediate support over the weekend were directed to contact 252-328-6661 and select option “2” to speak with a crisis counselor.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the car crash in SC that resulted in the deaths of the two ECU students and Mr. Prezzy. Further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
