UGA community mourns tragic loss of students
ATHENS, Ga. - Hearts remain heavy in Athens after a devastating car accident claimed the lives of four University of Georgia students and critically injured another student.
The Wednesday night wreck, in Watkinsville just outside of Athens, killed Kayla Canedo, 19, of Alpharetta, Brittany Feldman, 20, of Alpharetta, Christina Semeria, 19, of Milton, and Halle Scott, 19, of Dunwoody.
The driver, Agnes Kim, 21, of Snellville, is still in a coma at Athens Regional Medial Center.
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A scholarship has been set up in memory of Brittany Feldman and Kayla Canedo by the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. Donations are being accepted here: BRITTANY FELDMAN AND KAYLA CANEDO SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
A number of prayer vigils and memorials took place on Thursday as friends, family members and fellow students tried to come to grips with the grim reality.
As news of the crash spread early Thursday morning, hundreds of UGA students gathered at the Young Life building on Baxter Street to pray and grieve. Students then gathered on campus shortly after noon for a prayer vigil.
Later in the evening, hundreds met at the Tate Center Plaza for a memorial organized by the university to remember the four young women.
"The University of Georgia is a family, we care about each other and tonight is a time to show that we care," UGA President Jere Morehead said during the service.
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App users: Click here to watch a portion of the vigil on YouTube
"These four incredible people walked together hand in hand through the gates of Heaven last night to meet their creator," said one friend who spoke about the students during the vigil.
Friends, UGA staff and loved ones remembered the victims as "strong, inspirational and full of life."
"We mourn the loss of these beautiful people but we celebrate the lives that were lived with such purpose, meaning and influence."
All four victims were from metro Atlanta and three of the girls were Milton High School graduates. Thursday evening, the school and surrounding community gathered for a candlelight vigil where the parents of Christina Semeria spoke and brought many to tears.
"They were great godly girls," Catherine Semeria said. "I don't even know how I'm standing. I know that God surrounded our family with an army of angels."
The Semerias spoke about Agnes Kim and asked everyone to keep praying for her recovery. They also mentioned the woman who was driving the other vehicle involved in the wreck.
"They're going to feel real bad, they're going to feel responsible. We need to shower them with love, stand with compassion and support for those families," said Dave Semeria.
UGA said counseling services are available for students at the University Health Center.