NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
A three-vehicle crash in Ohio left a Division I college athlete dead at age 19.
Pole vaulter Eva Moran, 19, of the University of Toledo, was the only person killed in the Ohio crash, which involved another 19-year-old and a 23-year-old.
“The University of Toledo community is devastated by the loss of Eva Moran,” athletic director Tom Moreland said in a statement. “Eva was an outstanding student-athlete whose determination, character and positive spirit made an impact on everyone who had the opportunity to know her.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Eva Moran was a pole vaulter at the University of Toledo. (University of Toledo Athletics)
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to Eva’s parents, Alena and Derrek, and her siblings, Maddox, Jaxton and Kya. We ask that everyone keep Eva’s family and those closest to her in their thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”
“There are no words to adequately express the sadness our team feels for the loss of Eva,” added Toledo Director of Cross Country and Athletics Andrea Grove-McDonough. “She was a remarkable young woman whose energy, determination and kindness made an immediate impact on our program. Eva approached every practice, every competition and every challenge with a positive attitude and a genuine love for her teammates. She was eager to learn, eager to improve and proud to represent the University of Toledo.”
“Our hearts go out to Eva’s family, friends, teammates and all whose lives she touched. We will continue to honor her memory and the example she set for us all.”
River Valley’s Eva Moran finished second in the Division II girls pole vault at the OHSAA State Track and Field Championships June 6-7 at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. (Rob McCurdy/Marion Star/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
WEST VIRGINIA’S EPIC WALK-OFF KICKS OFF EMOTIONAL ‘COUNTRY ROADS’ CELEBRATION THAT DEFINES COLLEGE SPORTS
The accident happened Friday afternoon on Route 309 in Claridon Township. Moran was driving a 2012 Hyundai Elantra when she struck the left rear of a 2013 GMC Acadia, authorities said via ABC 13.
Moran was traveling east when she struck the Acadia, which was waiting to make a left turn into a driveway. Moran “failed to maintain a safe clear distance in front and struck the left rear” of the Acadia, authorities said.
Police added that a driver in a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was westbound when Moran struck the Acadia, and Moran “traveled left of the center line into the westbound lane, was struck by [the Jeep] and ejected from her vehicle.”
Moran had just finished his freshman year with Toledo and was majoring in health sciences. She set the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference record in the pole vault her senior year of high school at 12 feet and ½ inches.
Marion area athletes competed at the OHSAA State Track and Field Championships on June 6 and 7 at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. (Rob McCurdy/Marion Star/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
She finished 10th at the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships last month with a personal best of 3.57 meters. In February, she finished third at the GVSU Big Meet (3.43 meters), and in April, she placed fourth at the 56th Annual GINA Relays (3.27 meters).
