The East Carolina University (ECU) community is in mourning following a devastating head-on collision in South Carolina that claimed the lives of two ECU students. The accident, which occurred Friday afternoon in Holly Hill, SC, has sent shockwaves through the university and left two other students injured, prompting an outpouring of grief and support.
The students who tragically lost their lives have been identified as 20-year-old Shea Crothers, a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, and 18-year-old James Stanley, affiliated with Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. In addition to the heartbreaking loss of these two young lives, the driver of the second vehicle involved in the crash also perished, compounding the tragedy.
John Mountz, ECU Director of Greek Life, expressed the profound sorrow felt across the university. “We’re all deeply saddened by the loss of our students,” Mountz stated. “Our thoughts are with the students who are recovering, and the university is committed to providing comprehensive support to all affected during this incredibly difficult time.”
In the wake of this tragedy, ECU is extending crisis counseling services to students throughout the week. These crucial resources are available at the ECU Center for Counseling and Student Development located in Umstead Hall, offering a space for students to process their grief and seek support. For immediate assistance over the weekend, students were directed to contact 252-328-6661 and select option “2” to connect with a crisis counselor.
Details from the South Carolina Highway Patrol indicate that the two-vehicle collision took place on U.S. Highway 15 near Theater Drive, approximately three miles west of Holly Hill. Trooper 1st Class Tyler Tidwell reported that a 2016 Honda coupe traveling south on Highway 15 collided head-on with a 1999 Acura sedan heading north. The driver of the Acura has been identified as Walter Lee Prezzy Jr., 51, of Holly Hill, who also died in the crash.
The investigation into the cause of the accident is currently ongoing by South Carolina troopers. As the ECU community grapples with this immense loss, funeral services for Shea Crothers are scheduled for this Thursday at the Brunswick Memorial Home in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Arrangements for James Stanley are still pending, as the community continues to rally around the families and friends of all those affected by this heartbreaking event. ECU is committed to supporting its students and staff during this period of mourning and recovery.
