RILEY – Three Indiana State University students died and two were seriously injured after their vehicle crashed into a tree in western Indiana early Sunday morning, according to the school and local law enforcement.
The five passengers included several football players, the school announced Sunday.
At 1:34 a.m., deputies with the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office responded to a crash in Riley, Indiana. When they arrived to the scene, the vehicle had veered off the road into a tree and was on fire.
The Vigo County Sheriff’s Office said the vehicle was on fire by the time deputies arrived.
“Two of the occupants were able to be freed from the vehicle and were transported for medical treatment with serious injuries,” Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse said. “Unfortunately, the driver and two other occupants were pronounced deceased on the scene.
Police have identified all five students who were in the car at the time of the crash. Four of the five were on ISU’s football team.
Killed in the crash were:
- 18-year-old Christian Eubanks of Waukegan, Illinois
- 19-year-old Jayden Musili of Ft. Wayne, Indiana
- 19-year-old Caleb VanHooser of Liberty Township, Ohio
Injured in the crash were:
- 20-year-old Omarian Dixon of Lafayette, Indiana
- 19-year-old John Moore of Wheaton, Illinois
Of the five, the only one not on ISU’s football team was Jayden Musili.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” ISU President Deborah Curtis said. “As we are waiting on additional details from authorities investigating this accident, our hearts go out to the families and friends of the students involved.”
The school has offered counseling services for students, faculty, and staff in the wake of the tragedy. It has also postponed a women’s soccer match that was scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
