Student and recent alum of SC university killed in crash that injured three others
A car crash that killed two women and hurt three other people has broken the heart of South Carolina State University, school officials say.
A recent graduate, Zeleria Simpson, and a current student, Shemyia Riley, died in the two-vehicle collision that happened early Friday morning, officials said in a news release.
“Our hearts break for the families of the beautiful souls we’ve lost,” SC State Interim President Alexander Conyers said in the release. “There are no words that will dull the pain currently being experienced by their immediate families.”
Simpson, a Charleston resident, was a former standout guard for the Bulldogs women’s basketball team who graduated in May 2021 with a degree in criminal justice and law enforcement administration, according to the release.
Riley, a Greenville native, was a junior majoring in social work, as well as a Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College Scholar who had been recently named a 2022 Shining Star by the SC State University Foundation, officials said.
Students Dasia B. Lucas, Chukeya N. Williams and Fuquan Hills were hospitalized with injuries. Further information on their conditions was not available.
“SC State is a close-knit family, so we know these tragic events are having a ripple effect across our campus,” university vice president for student affairs Dr. Tamara Jeffries-Jackson said in the release. “When something of this magnitude happens here, we must come together to comfort and support one another with compassion.”
The collision happened at about 1 a.m. in Orangeburg County. A car being pursued by a South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper on S.C. 33 refused to stop and was speeding when the crash happened, WCSC reported.
There is no word which vehicles Simpson, Riley, Lucas, Williams, and Hills were inside.
No law enforcement vehicles were involved in the wreck, and no officers were hurt in the incident, SNBC reported.
Information on possible criminal charges for the driver of the car being chased was not available.
The collision is being investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, among other law enforcement agencies.
SC State said it has made counselors available to students, faculty and staff members in need of help as they cope with the aftermath of the deadly collision.
“The entire Bulldog Family extends our prayers and heartfelt condolences at this very difficult time,” Conyers said. “Even though we are sad today, we cherish the good memories and reflect on how our beloved students positively impacted our lives.”
A memorial for Simpson and Riley has been started outside of the university’s Student Center Plaza.
