Virginia Commonwealth University Statement on Death of Three Students in West Virginia Traffic Accident

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University News Services

The Virginia Commonwealth University community is mourning the tragic deaths of three students killed in a traffic accident in West Virginia.

The students, Joseph Amoury, 18, of Springfield, and Cayce Castelow, 19, and Benjamin Hutson, 18, both of Norfolk, were killed Thursday, May 31, when the car in which they were traveling collided with a tractor-trailer rig that crossed into their lane on Interstate 64 in West Virginia. The three were returning to Virginia from a concert in Kentucky, authorities said.

“This is an enormous tragedy, and the students will be greatly missed,” said VCU President Eugene P. Trani. “Our hearts and prayers go out to all three families at this time of their loss.”

A memorial service for Benjamin Hutson was scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Unitarian Universalist Church in Ghent, 739 Yarmouth St., Norfolk, Va. A service for Joseph Amoury will be held at 12 p.m. Thursday at Old Post Chapel, Fort Myer, Va. Interment will follow at Arlington National Cemetery. A service for Cayce Castelow was scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at St. Pius Catholic Church, 7800 Halprin Drive, Norfolk, Va. 

Counseling services are available for any VCU students, faculty or staff affected by this tragedy through University Counseling Services, 828-6200.