UMES honors 2 students who tragically passed during a car accident
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – A tragedy at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is leaving community members and students shaken. Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli said one of his deputies responded to incident.
“We responded to a single vehicle crash on Wednesday evening, and we learned that a 2016 white Chevrolet pickup had failed to negotiate a curve prior to leaving the roadway.”
The 2 UMES students were freshmen. The accident occurred on Nassawango Road in Snow Hill. The students were Luke Hawthorne of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, and Munir Morris of Capitol Heights, Maryland.
According to Sheriff Crisafulli, there were other factors. “We do know that speed was a contributing factor in the motor vehicle crash.”
UMES cancelled classes Friday and threw events like prayer circles and decompression activities. Vice President of Enrollment Management, Dr. Latoya Jenkins, said the move was to support the families and students.
“It’s about ensuring that the campus has the support needed to heal,” said Jenkins. UMES referred to the day as a day of healing and wellness.
Senior Kayla Winn calls the day necessary. “So we just wanna make sure that we’re here for all the students who knew them personally or are still feeling the impact of what happened.”
Victoria Hill, a UMES junior, told WMDT she’d never seen something like this during her time as a Hawk. “This is what the students need,” said Hill. Emphasizing solidarity, “for them to know that they are not in it alone.”
Sheriff Crisafulli leaves a final message for community members. “Slow down, please get where you’re going safely.”
UMES President Dr. Heidi M. Anderson released a statement. “This loss is heartbreaking. Luke and Munir had only just joined our Hawk family, full of hope and potential. “It is painful to think of the lives they would have led, the contributions they would have made, and the friendships they would have formed within our community.”
Students and faculty are encouraged to utilize counseling services available on campus or reach out through the 24-hour crisis line.
That can be reached at 410-651-HELP.
