Endicott College Student Killed In Crash Near Campus
BEVERLY (CBS) – Police believe speed and alcohol were a factor in a crash near Endicott College that killed one student and left the car's driver hospitalized with severe injuries.
The crash occurred on Hale Street across from Birchmont Hall around 12:15 a.m. on Saturday.
Officers found a BMW with two people inside had crashed into a utility police.
A crowd of Endicott students gathered across the street as crews responded to the scene.
Paramedics and firefighters removed the 19-year-old male passenger and the 20-year-old male driver from the car and transported them to Beverly Hospital.
The passenger, identified by Endicott College President Dr. Richard Wylie as 19-year-old sophomore Craig Sampson, was pronounced dead a short time later.
Students and faculty at the Beverly college are devastated.
"Things like this tears the campus apart. It tears the president apart, the staff and the students," Wylie said.
Sophomore Sean Mack heard the crash and came running outside to help.
"I heard engines revving and tires skidding, then heard a big bang," he told WBZ-TV's Paul Burton. "I dropped what I was doing and when I got there, the car was wrapped around a telephone pole and two people were in the car."
Friends say Sampson had a way of making everyone feel special and very involved in student life on campus.
"Everyone liked him and he put smiles on everyone's faces," Mack says. "Great kid and smart."
The driver, identified as Joseph Castano, was transported to Lahey Hospital in Burlington with severe injuries.
Both Sampson and Castano are natives of Vermont.
Wylie said Sampson "brought life, energy and smiles to all our faces and will be greatly missed by our entire community."
"At this time of sadness we must join together in our prayers and for Craig and his family," added Wylie.
Grief counselors will be on campus throughout the day Saturday for students impacted by Sampson's death.
A makeshift memorial could be seen at the crash site on Saturday night. A vigil was also held Saturday evening.
Beverly police said the crash remains under investigation.
WBZ-TV's Paul Burton and Karyn Regal contributed to this report.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal reports
