Three James Madison University students, including two from Richmond, were killed in a crash Thursday night in West Virginia.
John “Luke” Fergusson, a sophomore studying media arts and design, and Nicholas Troutman, a sophomore majoring in business management, died in the wreck, JMU said in a statement. A third student, sophomore communication studies major Joshua Mardis, of Williamsburg, also died.
“These three young men will always be remembered as Dukes and will forever be in our hearts,” the statement said.
They were pronounced dead at the scene of the single-vehicle accident along West Virginia Route 259 near the Virginia border, the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Five men, all 19-year-old JMU students, were in the vehicle. The driver and another passenger were airlifted to a hospital and were in critical condition.
Deputies determined that the vehicle was traveling westbound on the road before veering off and striking a tree.
JMU Vice President Tim Miller said in a statement: “It is with a heavy heart and sadness I write to inform you of the loss of several JMU students from a tragic car accident that occurred last night in West Virginia.”
“The university is currently working to confirm details with local authorities and the families of the students,” he said. “It is extremely difficult to process and understand unexplainable incidents such as this.”
The police statement said the men were at a club prior to the accident about 37 miles from the JMU campus in Harrisonburg. The statement said road conditions were dry, and there were no signs of vehicle skid marks on the road.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
From the Archives: Maymont
10-06-1988 (cutline): A new gate at the west end of Maymont Park's Japanese Garden was dedicated today. Before Virginia's first lady, Jeannie P. Baliles, and other dignitaries arrived, Peggy Singlemann, a park horticulturalist, prepared the ribbon for the ceremony.
Staff photo
02-11-1951 (cutline): This stone stable in Maymont Park is being converted into a nature center, sponsored by the Richmond Council of Garden Clubs in co-operation with the Department of Recreation and Parks.
Staff photo
03-10-1967 (cutline): Lawrence Agnew Jr. (left) and Gabriel Poulin set up a display of birds as they prepare the Maymont Nature Center for its opening Sunday at 2 p.m. Agenw and Poulin are nature and wildlife specialists with the Richmond Department of Recreation and Parks, which is establishing the facility as a complement to the Maymont-Virginia Wildlife Exhibit and the Children's Farm. The nature center is on the second floor of the former carriage house of the Dooley Estate at Maymont.
Staff photo
06-19-1974 (cutline): Mrs. Charles Thalhimer sits in the Italian Garden at Maymont Park.
Staff photo
06-30-1982 (cutline): Children attending Maymont's summer day camp try out a Conestoga wagon displayed at the Nature Center.
Bill Lane
10-18-1976 (cutline): In spite of yesterday's rain, a few Richmonders arrived for ceremonies dedicating the new Mary Parsons Nature Center at Maymont Park in a building that formerly was a hay barn. The center was financed by a $250,000 gift to the Maymont Foundation; it opened to the public today. Described as a fully equipped environmental learning facility, the nature center contains live animals native to Virginia, as well as displays depicting many aspects of the state's environment.
Carl Lynn
10-18-1976 (cutline): In spite of yesterday's rain, a few Richmonders arrived for ceremonies dedicating the new Mary Parsons Nature Center at Maymont Park in a building that formerly was a hay barn. The center was financed by a $250,000 gift to the Maymont Foundation; it opened to the public today. Described as a fully equipped environmental learning facility, the nature center contains live animals native to Virginia, as well as displays depicting many aspects of the state's environment.
Carl Lynn
07-04-1977: Afternoon parade for Fourth of July drew hundreds to Maymont Park.
Staff photo
12-04-1986 (cutline): Janet Lucas (left) and Emily Skinner kicked up their heels as "Florenz Ziegfeld and His Cancan Girls" greeted guests at a reception yesterday at Maymont. The event was conducted for the Maymont House Benevolent Society, major contributors to the restoration of the mansion left by Maj. James H. Dooley to the city. The members were the first to see the house's holiday decorations.
Staff photo
09-27-1988 (cutline): Maymont's new tram makes hour-long loops around the park so that visitors may see the sights while sitting down.
Staff photo
09-27-1988 (cutline): Maymont's new tram makes hour-long loops around the park so that visitors may see the sights while sitting down.
Staff photo
10-18-1976 (cutline): Paul C. Nagle of Vienna points out for his sons, David and Paul, various forms of sea life found in Virginia as they are depicted in a new display at Maymont Park. The exhibit is part of the Mary Parsons Nature Center, which was opened yesterday. The center is in a renovated hay barn at the park and will be open daily except Mondays.
Staff photo
04-15-1954 (cutline): If yesterday's warms unny weather will convince you it's Spring, here's some irrefutable evidence--tulips in full bloom at Maymont Park. Temperatures climbed to 78 degrees here yesterday. Today is expected to be as warm with a few showers likely.
Staff photo
06-20-1983 (cutline): Kursti North (left) wears vintage hat, dress; Jessie Goodwin made her hat.
Staff photo
10-28-1985: Maymont Victorian Day
Times-Dispatch
10-24-1988 (cutline): Shades of the past. Patty Elmer-Bush (left) of Virignia Beach and Charlene Bullard of Richmond engage in a 1860s-style discussion yesterday at Maymont Park. The two were participating in the park's annual "turn-of-the-century" lawn party and equestrian event.
Robin Layton
06-27-1988 (cutline): William F. Long, dressed for his role as the Dooley's butler is Maymont's volunteer emeritus.
Masaaki Okada
10-27-1985 (cutline): Grin and bear. Teddy bear faces are the only ones not grinning in this picture. The bears will be joined by others at Maymont's Victorian Day Program today. The Victorian-attired humans in the picture--who will be joined by others for picnics, entertainment and activities--are Mrs. Michael McCaig, carriage curator and her daughter, Sarah, 7 months; Michael Leslie Brown, 2 1/2; and program coordinator Richard Cheatham.
Times-Dispatch
06-16-1982 (cutline): A peacock, its tail feathers down, pauses in the shade under the wisteria that covers the arbor at the Italian Gardens in Maymont Park. A park official says several peacocks roam the grounds, where one of their favorite activities is preening in front of windows so they can see their reflections.
Masaaki Okada