So sad....
Crash Kills Couple on Way to Their Wedding
They Were Driving From Colorado to Arizona for a July 8th Ceremony
AGON MOUND, N.M. (July 1) - A former Colorado State University runner and her fiance died in a crash on Interstate 25, days before their wedding, school officials said.
State police said 21-year-old Valerie McGregor and 23-year-old Samuel Zawada were in a 2003 Tacoma pickup that rolled off Interstate 25 near Wagon Mound in northeastern New Mexico early Thursday.
The two were on their way to McGregor's home in Tucson, Ariz., where they planned to wed July 8, according to the school.
McGregor, who was driving, died at the scene, State Police Lt. Jimmy Glascock said. Zawada was flown to St. Vincent's Hospital in Santa Fe, where he died.
Both were wearing seat belts, and alcohol was not involved, Glascock said.
'This is really a tragedy, and a very sad day for all of us,' said CSU track coach Brian Bedard said, who replaced longtime coach Del Hessel at the end of the outdoor track season. 'She worked extremely hard, she was extremely nice, and she was a very good student. We send our deepest condolences to her family and the family of her fiance.'
McGregor, 21, is survived by her fraternal twin sister, Emily; another sister, Wendy; and her father, Lyle. Her mother, Judy, died about a year ago after battling cancer.
'Val had to struggle through some things most student-athletes don't have to go through, but she was an extremely hard worker who did everything we asked,' Bedard said. 'It was emotionally draining on her to go through her mom's battle with cancer. ... Val embodied the character and dedication that are the foundation of our program.'
A memorial service was scheduled for July 7 in Tucson.
07/01/06 20:53 EDT
They Were Driving From Colorado to Arizona for a July 8th Ceremony
AGON MOUND, N.M. (July 1) - A former Colorado State University runner and her fiance died in a crash on Interstate 25, days before their wedding, school officials said.
State police said 21-year-old Valerie McGregor and 23-year-old Samuel Zawada were in a 2003 Tacoma pickup that rolled off Interstate 25 near Wagon Mound in northeastern New Mexico early Thursday.
The two were on their way to McGregor's home in Tucson, Ariz., where they planned to wed July 8, according to the school.
McGregor, who was driving, died at the scene, State Police Lt. Jimmy Glascock said. Zawada was flown to St. Vincent's Hospital in Santa Fe, where he died.
Both were wearing seat belts, and alcohol was not involved, Glascock said.
'This is really a tragedy, and a very sad day for all of us,' said CSU track coach Brian Bedard said, who replaced longtime coach Del Hessel at the end of the outdoor track season. 'She worked extremely hard, she was extremely nice, and she was a very good student. We send our deepest condolences to her family and the family of her fiance.'
McGregor, 21, is survived by her fraternal twin sister, Emily; another sister, Wendy; and her father, Lyle. Her mother, Judy, died about a year ago after battling cancer.
'Val had to struggle through some things most student-athletes don't have to go through, but she was an extremely hard worker who did everything we asked,' Bedard said. 'It was emotionally draining on her to go through her mom's battle with cancer. ... Val embodied the character and dedication that are the foundation of our program.'
A memorial service was scheduled for July 7 in Tucson.
07/01/06 20:53 EDT
