Over the holiday break, two Seattle Pacific University students were involved in separate accidents in Oregon. Sophomore Drake Edwards from West Linn, OR was killed in a car accident on December 23. Another sophomore, Richard Sohn from Everett, Washington, was involved in a tour bus crash near Pendleton, OR on December 29 that resulted in fatalities and injuries. There has not been an official update as of yet on Richard’s condition.
SPU President Daniel J. Martin sent an email to SPU students as they were returning for Winter Quarter, which included the following:
As a result of learning about Drake’s passing before I left to visit family, I spent a great deal of time over break reflecting about our community, relationships, and those who experienced a very different Christmas and New Year’s Eve than they had anticipated. Certainly, the Edwards and Sohn families, those affected by the horrific act of violence in Newtown, Connecticut, and other members of the SPU community who have lost loved ones recently are among these. My thoughts and prayers have been with them all.
A service of remembrance for all in the SPU community who have lost loved ones in recent months is being planned for Friday, January 4, at 5 p.m. in First Free Methodist Church, adjacent to the SPU campus.