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A three-vehicle crash in Ohio claimed the life of a 19-year-old Division I college athlete.
Eva Moran, 19, a University of Toledo pole vaulter, was the only person killed in the Ohio crash, in which another 19-year-old man and a 23-year-old man were involved.
“The University of Toledo community is heartbroken by the loss of Eva Moran,” athletic director Tom Moreland said in a statement. “Eva was an exceptional student-athlete whose determination, character and positive spirit left an impression on all those who had the opportunity to know her.
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Eva Moran was a pole vaulter at the University of Toledo. (University of Toledo Athletics)
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Eva’s parents, Alena and Derrek, and her siblings, Maddox, Jaxton and Kya. We ask everyone to keep Eva’s family and loved ones in their thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”
“There are no words to adequately express the sadness our team feels over the loss of Eva,” added Andrea Grove-McDonough, Toledo director of cross country and track and field. “She was a remarkable young woman whose energy, determination and kindness had an immediate impact on our program. Eva approached every practice, every competition and every challenge with a positive attitude and a true 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 the family, friends, teammates and everyone whose lives she touched. We will continue to honor her memory and the example she set for all of us.”
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)
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The accident occurred 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 heading east when she struck the Acadia as it was waiting to turn left into a driveway. Moran “failed to maintain an assured clear distance in front of him, striking the left rear” of Acadia, authorities said.
Police added that a driver of a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling westbound when Moran struck the Acadia, and that Moran “traveled left of the center line in the westbound lane, was struck by [the Jeep] and ejected from his vehicle.”
Moran had just finished her freshman year at Toledo and was majoring in health sciences. She set the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference pole vault record during her senior year of high school at 12 feet, ½ inch.
Marion area athletes competed in 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)
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She finished 10th at the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships last month with a personal best of 3.57 meters. In February, she placed third at the GVSU Big Meet (3.43 meters) and in April, she placed fourth at the 56th Annual GINA Relay (3.27 meters).
