Vigil tonight at Brandeis University after student killed in Saturday night bus crash
WALTHAM — A vigil is being held on campus tonight after a Brandeis University student was killed and 27 other people were injured Saturday night in a shuttle bus crash.
Brandeis University President Ron Liebowitz told WCVB-TV that Waltham police have identified the victim who died as 25-year-old undergraduate student Vanessa Mark.
"While Vanessa was currently on leave, she was living in Waltham and was an active and cherished member of the Brandeis community," Liebowitz said in a statement. "We have been in touch with Vanessa's family and will continue to stay in contact with them in the coming days, and we will keep you updated about ways we will honor Vanessa's memory."
The Brandeis community is holding the vigil at 7 p.m. today at Harlan Chapel. The university canceled classes schedule for today and tomorrow, effectively extending the Thanksgiving holiday break that was scheduled to start Wednesday.
In a joint statement, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell confirmed an investigation into the crash is ongoing. The shuttle bus was transporting Brandeis students from a hockey game at Northeastern University in Boston.
Authorities say a preliminary investigation suggests the bus crashed into a tree on South Street at about 10:32 p.m. One student, later identified as Mark, was pronounced dead at the scene. The remaining 26 students and the bus driver suffered injuries "of varying degrees" and were transported to area hospitals.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Waltham police, the Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police Crash Reconstruction Section.
No charges have been filed.
Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the accident or who may have information to contact them at (781) 314-3600
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Brandeis University plans vigil after shuttle bus crash kills student
