Post by greeky on Feb 10, 2014 15:21:52 GMT -5
According to Florida Highway Patrol, four passengers in the 2010 Hyundai Sonata driving the proper direction on the interstate and the driver of the 2001 Ford Expedition headed the wrong way were killed in the crash, the Orlando Sentinel reported. The highway was closed for several hours afterward.
The four in the sedan were identified as University of South Florida fraternity brothers. Jobin Joy Kuriakose, 21, Ankeet Harshad Patel, 22, Imtiyaz “Jim” Ilias, 20, and Dammie Yesudhas, 21, were all members of Sigma Beta Rho. According to the Sentinel, three of the men were current students while the fourth was a former student.
“They were so sweet, gentle and kind to everybody. We could never think something bad would happen to these guys,” Mohammed Reza, a friend of the men, told The Tampa Tribune.
“We’re devastated by the loss of our brothers,” Raj Patel, the fraternity’s chapter president, told the newspaper. “Our condolences go out to their families as well as the driver [of the truck]. We lost four talented young men and now we’re just asking everyone to respect the privacy of their families and their friends.”
University president Judy Genshaft said in a statement the counseling center will be available to help students’ struggling with the loss.
“Mere words cannot convey the depth of shock and sadness this terrible event brings to all who knew and cherished these wonderful young men,” Genshaft said. “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.”
Sigma Beta Rho is planning an on-campus memorial service later in the week.
Florida Highway Patrol officials said they were struggling to identify the male SUV driver late Sunday because of extensive injuries from the fire.
