Four University of South Florida students were killed in a car crash on Interstate 275 on early Sunday.
The students were identified as Jobin Joy Kuriakose, Ankeet Harshad Patel, Imtiyaz Ilias, and Dammie Yesudhas. They were all members of USF’s Sigma Beta Rho fraternity.
They were killed after a Ford Expedition that was going south in the northbound lanes crashed into their vehicle head-on.
Ilias, 20, was a nursing student at the school, reported TBO.com.
Mohammed Rahmam, a close friend of Ilias, said that Ilias was a big personality.
“Jim was very radiant. He was one of those people that had the ability to light up an entire room — even those who were upset,” Mohammed said. “Jim had this radiant smile, he had this upbeat, almost comical personality. He was always the jokester in the room.”
Yesudhas, 21, was a double major in math and mechanical engineering.
The driver of the other vehicle remains unidentified. The driver also died in the crash.
Judy Genshaft, president at USF, said in a statement that “Mere words cannot convey the depth of shock and sadness this terrible event brings to all who knew and cherished these wonderful young men.”
She said that the university’s counseling center is available to students who are struggling with the deaths.
The fraternity said in a statement that “Today, the world lost four of the most sincere, joyous, and humble men. Our condolences and prayers go out to the friends and families of these brothers.”
The fraternity is planning an on-campus memorial service for later in the week.
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