Two unidentified students collided into a business sign across from the university tennis courts and the University Counseling Center, totaling the vehicle.
According to eyewitness reports, two females were driving down Carter Lane, which becomes North Oak Street, when their vehicle crashed into a pole used for business signage.
“I was on the other side of the tennis court and the car was in front of me, and they were going a little fast,” said junior industrial engineer major Nick Harrell. “In my head I thought they were going too fast for the curb and next thing you know they went off the road and smacked into a pole.”
Senior psychology major Kristin Ruffino said she called police after she heard a loud crash.
“I was sitting in my car, and all of the sudden I just heard a big loud crash noise and then I looked over and then the car started smoking so I got on the phone with 911 and I told them and they came really fast and ran over here,” said Ruffino. “[The two girls] were already on the ground.”
Ruffino said a resident of nearby apartments helped the two students out of the car.
The two female students’ car most likely hydroplaned because of the wet roads, according to senior biology major Richard Buckland.
“I’m sure they hydroplaned,” said Buckland. “I mean it’s pretty slick right there and it has a sharp curve. I didn’t see if they were speeding. It looked like they hit pretty hard regardless.”
Buckling also said that the students appeared to be injured, but not in critical condition.
“I just saw them hit the sign and then I saw the two girls get out and they looked like they were hurt pretty bad,” said Buckling. “But [police] were there so they should be fine.”
Ambulances to a local hospital transported the students, however, no further information was provided.
The accident comes after a week of traffic accidents throughout the state due to the freezing weather conditions.
As state police reported, at least two people have been killed in traffic accidents and one person critically injured along Interstate 10 in southern Louisiana. Police said they have worked over 200 accidents since the cold weather began.
Also, the university closed all classes and activities on Jan. 28 and 29 because of the projected winter storm reports.
Jasmine Tate contributed to this report.