UPDATE: SU Freshman Dies, Two Others Injured After Car Crashes into Coulbourn Mill Pond
Images Courtesy of Salisbury Fire Department
UPDATE: Salisbury University has confirmed that the three 18-year-olds involved in Wednesday’s crash were students of the school.
“Last night, we were informed of a terrible car accident involving three Salisbury University students,” University President Dr. Carolyn Lepre in a statement to the campus community. “It is with profound sadness that I share with you that we have been notified that one of the students, Matthew Garcia, has passed away as a result of that accident.”
Garcia was a freshman and an international business student in the Perdue School of Business. He was also a member of the school’s AI Club.
“He will be missed by all of us at SU, as well as his friends and family at home,” Dr. Lepre said of Garcia in the statement. “According to those closest to him, he was a good son and dedicated friend — kind-hearted, loyal, and always willing to lend a helping hand.”
Dr. Lepre said that while classes would not be canceled on Friday, Feb. 13, attendance will be optional. Faculty will reportedly use class time for review and individual academic support rather than for the introduction of new material. Multiple counseling and guidance services have been made available staff and faculty.
In an official statement, Dr. Lepre said the following:
“Any loss of life is tragic, but the loss of a young life, with so much potential, is especially heartbreaking. As a mother, I can only imagine the pain the Garcia family is feeling right now. I share in their grief and in the sorrow of our campus community, especially the students, faculty, and others whose lives are directly touched by this tragedy. Now is the time to come together, not only to celebrate Matthew’s life and accomplishments, but to support one another, and to remember just how fragile life can be.”
Dr. Lepre says the University will release more information as it is appropriate.
SALISBURY, Md. – The Maryland State Police (MSP) are investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed an 18-year-old on Wednesday night.
Police say a Honda Civic crashed into Coulbourn Mill Pond on Feb. 11, killing Matthew Garcia of Rockville, Maryland who is believed to have been the driver during the crash. Garcia was flown by Maryland State Police Aviation Command to a trauma center, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Two 19-year-old passengers were in the Honda at the time of the crash; identified as Andy Fon Koh of Takoma Park, Maryland and Eyuael Zewdie of Washington, D.C. Koh was flown by MSP Aviation Command to a shock trauma center for treatment of his injuries. Zewdie was transported by ambulance to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional for treatment of his injuries.
Around 8:41 p.m. on Feb. 11, officers from the Fruitland Police Department (FPD) responded to South Division Street at Coulbourn Mill for a report of a single-vehicle crash. A preliminary investigation indicates the Honda, operated by Garcia, was traveling on South Division Street when he failed to stop at a posted stop sign. Upon entering the intersection, Garcia attempted to steer through the turn, continuing westbound before striking the top of the guardrail and landing in Coulbourn Mill Pond. Authorities believe speeding may have been a factor in the crash.
The Salisbury and Fruitland fire departments, along with the Salisbury Special Operations and Sharptown Dive Team, responded to conduct a water rescue of the three passengers. Upon arrival, one occupant was reportedly on top of the vehicle, while two others remained submerged. Divers entered the water and rapidly extricated all three patients.
Lanes were closed for more than four hours for the crash investigation. MSP says they are conducting the ongoing investigation at the request of FPD.
This article was originally posted on Feb. 12 at 11:05 a.m.
