News
Freshman Killed in Crash While Returning from Weekend
Beth Bayles Was a Freshman Volleyball Player
August 31, 2009
Elizabeth Bayles as 2008 River Valley High School homecoming queen. (Photo courtesy of the Marion Star)
The Wilmington College campus was shocked and saddened Monday (Aug. 31) to learn of the death of a student.
Elizabeth A. “Beth” Bayles, 18, was killed in a car crash Sunday evening as she was returning to WC from her home in Caledonia in Marion County.
A head-on collision on US 42 in Delaware County north of the Union County line was reported at 9:25 p.m. She was pronounced dead at the scene. A report by the Ohio State Patrol indicated Bayles’ vehicle went left of center.
The driver of the other vehicle was injured and transported to an area hospital. Neither vehicle had passengers.
President Dan DiBiasio and Sigrid Solomon, dean of students, each spoke with Bayles’ mother Monday morning.
“We were able to reach out and express our sorrow as a campus to Beth’s family — our thoughts and prayers are with the Bayles family at this difficult time,” he said.
Bayles was a freshman member of the volleyball team. The volleyball team has cancelled its Wednesday home match with Indiana University East.
“We stand ready to assist students and others on campus who knew Beth,” the president added.
The team, as well as students on Bayles’ floor of Pickett Hall and those members of her new student orientation cohort, planned to meet later Monday. The College’s counselor and campus minister have made themselves available.
Funeral services for Bayles will be held Friday, September 4, 2009 (11 a.m.) at Marion Salem United Methodist Church, (1640 Salem Rd. Caledonia, OH. 43314) with Rev. Jeff Grant officiating, burial will follow at Caledonia Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, September 3, 2009 from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Marion Salem United Methodist Church, the Boyd-Born Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Marion County Humane Society.
Wilmington College will also be holding a memorial service on campus on Tuesday, September 15, at 4 p.m., in the McCoy Room of Kelly Center.
