Tragedy struck Sunday morning in Hillsborough County, Florida when a driver driving on the wrong side of the road collided with an oncoming vehicle, killing four University of South Florida fraternity brothers.
University Mourns the Death of Four Fraternity Brothers
“Mere words cannot convey the depth of shock and sadness this terrible event brings to all who knew and cherished these wonderful young men. Our hearts are heavy at the loss of such bright, energetic and optimistic young people who had promising futures ahead of them; to have their lives cut tragically short betrays our sense of fairness and security.” – USF president Judy Genshaft as published by the Tampa Bay Times
100 people gathered on the shoulder of Interstate 275 just before sunset Sunday grieving the loss of the fraternity brothers after a wrong-way driver plowed into their vehicle shortly after 2a.m. Sunday morning.
Among the people were friends, family and fellow USF students. The brothers were members of Sigma Beta Rho, a fraternity dedicated to cultural awareness. After Sunday’s crash, the fraternity lost a fifth of its brotherhood.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Jobin Joy Kuriakose 21, of Orlando; Ankeet Harshad Pateel, 22; Dammie Yesudhas, 21, of Melbourne; and Imtiyaz Ilias, 20, of Fort Myers were in the Hyundai Sonata when a White Ford Expedition plowed into them. Kuriakose was the driver.
The driver of the Expedition has not yet been identified as investigators determine where the driver entered 275 and if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.
Woman Catches Fiery Crash on Video
- Jada Wright was traveling along I-275 moments before the crash-catching it all on camera. During the recording, Wright wonders out lout, “what is he doing? He is on the wrongside! Where is he going?”
- Moments later Wright catches the burning Expedition on camera.
- Wright posted the video on Facebook, and FHP investigators wish to speak with her. By 6p.m. Sunday, the video was removed from her Facebook page.
- The Tampa Bay Times tried to contact Wright about the video, but she did not respond. Her Facebook page contained a message with the video:
- “RIP to the fallen angels from the video last night. My deepest condolences to their families.”
- USF has offered counseling to students and staff members affected by the tragedy.
