2 Judson University students killed, 2 hurt in crash near campus
Two Judson University students were killed and two others were injured after a four-vehicle crash Tuesday on Route 31 near the entrance to the campus in Elgin.
Dallas Colburn of Plano and Nathanael Madison of Wernersville, Pennsylvania, died in the crash, which occurred about 9:15 p.m. in the vicinity of Judson Drive and State Street.
Two other students, whose names were not released but who are from Michigan and Indiana, were treated at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin for injuries that were not life-threatening. One has since been released, according to a university representative who did not indicate that student's home state.
The four male students were seniors in Judson's architecture program, university officials have said.
A prayer vigil limited to the Judson community, with COVID-19 precautions, took place Wednesday night at Herrick Chapel, said Judson spokesperson Mary Dulabaum. The university said it will announce plans later in the week for memorial services on campus.
Elgin police continue to investigate the crash. Police did not indicate whether charges will be filed.
The vehicle carrying the Judson students was traveling south on State Street and turning east onto Judson Drive, according to authorities. Three vehicles traveling north on State Street were then involved in a chain-reaction crash with the vehicle carrying the students.
In addition to the four students, two other people were injured in the crash and hospitalized for injuries that were not life-threatening.
Colburn and Madison were pronounced dead at the scene. Both were set to graduate in about three weeks, as were the two hospitalized students, Dulabaum said.
"We are deeply saddened and mourn this tragic loss tonight. We grieve with the families and ask for prayers for the students and their families," Judson President Gene Crume said in a news release posted on the university's website. "Our prayers are also with the students who were injured and who will be impacted by this tragic accident. We continue to trust in God who walks alongside us in every situation."
Crume informed the university's residential students about the fatal crash during a meeting at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Lindner Fitness Center on campus, according to the Judson news release.