JMU students involved in fatal accident have been identified

Five sophomores from James Madison University (JMU)  were involved in a single vehicle accident in Hardy County West Virginia Feb 2.

Three of the 5 were pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident.

The driver of the vehicle and another passenger were airlifted to the hospital both in critical condition.

One student was released from the hospital by Feb. 5.

Investigators B.J. Parker and J.P. Smith from Hardy County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident and have reported by email.

The two Officers are Reporting that the five students were returning from the Paradise City Club when the vehicle left the road and struck a tree at approximately 10:30 p.m.

The exact cause of the accident is still being investigated according to the Deputies.

The Deputies report that there were no obvious skid marks and conditions were dry with no indication that they tried to avoid an animal and no carcass was found.

The accident occurred about 37 miles from Harrisonburg on West Virginia Route 259.

The students that were killed are John Fergusson, Nicholas Troutman both of Richmond and Joshua Mardis of Williamsburg.

All the students involved in the accident were 19 years of age.

Counseling resources are currently available to all JMU students, staff and alumni according to the JMU Breeze.

According to the JMU Breeze approximately 2,000 Community members gathered Sunday Feb, 5 in a candlelight memorial for the students involved on the JMU grounds.

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