Georgia Southern University (GSU) is reeling after the confirmed deaths of five nursing students in a devastating car crash early Wednesday morning.
The seven-vehicle pile-up occurred on Interstate 16 in Ellabelle, Georgia, 20 miles west of Savannah, at around 5:45am.
Seven GSU students were headed to their final clinical of the school year at St Joseph's/Candler Hospital in Savannah, and were riding in a Toyota Corolla and a Ford Escape.
Investigators believe a tractor trailer crashed into the back of an SUV before rolling over another car and hitting a tanker. The four students in the Corolla died at the scene, and one person in the Escape died at Memorial Medical Center in Savannah. Two others in the Escape were injured, and their condition is unknown.
All of the students were nursing students from Georgia in their junior year. Killed in the horrific crash were: Emily Clark, 20, of Powder Springs, Morgan Bass, 20, of Leesburg, Abbie DeLoach, 21, of Savannah, Catherine "McKay" Pittman, 21, of Alpharetta, and Caitlyn Baggett, 21, of Millen. The injured students were Megan Richards of Loganville and Brittney McDaniel of Reidsville.
GSU President Brooks Keel was shaken by the tragedy.
"The loss of any student, especially in a tragic way, is particularly painful," he wrote on the university's website. "Losing five students is almost incomprehensible."
Others remembered the victims as unselfish, dependable, caring young women.
"Today Heaven gained an angel," Christian sorority Alpha Delta Chi wrote of GSU chapter president Catherine Pittman.
Abbie DeLoach was remembered by her high school, Savannah Christian Prep, in a touching tribute.
"As the high school student body president, she exemplified her faith and love for Christ," a statement released by the school read. "She was respected by both students and faculty as she displayed an incredible work ethic and passion in every area of her life.
"While our grief is real, we are not without hope. Our faith in our Lord's resurrection promises life eternal to all who believe in Him. Abbie loved her family, her friends, and her Lord. We will see her again."
