Practice News Story 11: Van Accident

Van accident kills USU students and faculty member

Posted: 9:00 p.m. MST, April 19, 2007

Logan, Utah -- Six Utah State University students and one USU faculty member have been confirmed dead after a van traveling on Interstate 84 lost control and rolled off the road. Four other USU students were in the van as well and have been taken to different hospitals. Two of them were life-flighted to Ogden hospitals while two others were taken in an ambulance to a hospital in Brigham City. The names of all the students have not been confirmed at this time.

Evan Parker, the USU faculty member who was killed, was driving his students back to Greenline Implements for a class field trip when the rollover occured. The accident took place approximately two miles northwest from the I-84 break off of Interstate 15. The first highway patrolman on the scene was Lieutenant Ed Michaud.

"In my 15 years of experience, this is the worst accident I've seen," Michaud said. Michaud arrived on the scene just a few minutes after the accident had happened, then made the call to dispatch. Michaud said that from the way things looked, he did not believe any of the passengers were wearing seat belts. He also said the possible cause of the crash was a mechanical malfunction of the vehicle, as well as an estimated speed of 95 mph, which was well above the posted speed limit of 75 mph.

Kyle Holden, a manager at Greenline Implements, was a witness to the accident. He said that he was following along with the van as they made their way back to Greenline Implements from looking at some farm equipment about five miles away. Holden said that this field trip with Parker occured every year and that it was a positive experience for the students. On their travel back to Greenline, Holden started passing the van in the fast lane and claims he was traveling around 80-81 mph. As he started passing the van, he saw that the left rear tire had blown out and the van began to lose control. As he moved a little bit further ahead of the van he saw in his mirror the van swerve to the side and begin to roll off of the highway. Holden then stopped his car and ran to help, along with other passerbys who stopped to see what they could do. Holden said that the van had rolled about 100 feet away from the highway.

Noel Cockett, USU Interim Provost and Dean of the College of Agriculture, had known about the field trip that these students were taking. She said that all of the students were from the Agricultural Systems Technology and Education (ASTE) department. Cockett and Parker had worked together in the Agricultural (Ag) Department for 15 years. Speaking of Parker, Cockett said, "He really has built the Ag program to what it is now". She also said that the students that were involved in the accident were some of the best students the ASTE department has seen in many years. Many of the students were married and came from good families. "This is a horrible tragedy for our university," Cockett said. "It hurts on a personal level, as well as an emotional level".

Stan Albrecht, President of Utah State University, said that all of the families of those involved have been contacted. He also said that not many people on the USU campus have heard the news yet and will most likely find out tomorrow. Albrecht then shared his condolences by saying, "This is a great loss for our university. Tragic doesn't say enough ... we've got a long road ahead of us".