Not so long ago, the car disaster took the lives of two individuals who were closely linked to Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The tragic incident not only saddened the entire college, but also indicated the safety concerns of the drivers. Of the three victims, one was the current student of Stillman College, while the two were alumni. Looking at the situation, you can understand the severity and hard time the college has been suffering from.
Do you know the reason behind their tragic death? If not, this article will help you gather important details on this Stillman College tragedy while explaining the lesson you can take from the incident.
What is the Stillman College Car Accident?
Based on the official sources, a vehicle crash happened in the evening of May 23, 2025. The deadly collision occurred on I-75 South near Old Dixie Road, Clayton County, Georgia. The vehicle deviated from the road and catched flames before entering a ditch. Unfortunately, the three passengers were unable to get out of the vehicle and died on the spot.
The first respondents, including the Clayton County Police and Fire crews, immediately rushed to the scene after receiving numerous calls. However, they tried their best to save the occupants, but they were pronounced dead.
The victims said that the Stillman College student accident scene was devastating, causing smokes appearing from the burning vehicle. Additionally, they mentioned that emergency crews worked urgently to control the fire and save the occupants.
Who Were the Victims?
Until now, you know that the victims are from Stillman College. Want to know exactly about their identities? Well, I will help you to know them closely, just keep reading ahead carefully.
| Accident Victims | Academic Status | Future Plans |
| Sieas Elliott | Stillman College student and member of the baseball team and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In May 2025, he had completed his playing career and was preparing to return to complete his degree. | He wanted to serve as the student assistant coach of the college’s baseball team. |
| Varick Lawrence | He was the school alumnus of the 2023 batch and a former Stillman baseball player. Also, he was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and widely admired for his mentorship and leadership. | He continued his sport passion as a youth baseball coach in the Atlanta area. |
| Destiny Gardner | She was the 2022 alumna who completed her degree in Criminal Justice. | She worked at the DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center as a Juvenile Correctional Officer. Additionally, Destiny was the mother to a 9-month-old son with Varick. She had plans to marry Varick as they were already engaged. |
As you can see that the three individuals were vibrant and young, it is a devastating loss to the community and college. The Stillman College vehicle collision didn’t only take the lives of a student and two alumni, but those who had brighter plans in the future.
What Caused the Stillman College Vehicle Collision?
As of now, the officials haven’t released any exact death cause of the Stillman College students. However, the devastating incident caused a massive traffic disruption, causing the parts of I-75 South to shut down and emergency clearance.
When fatalities like this happen, investigators typically follow some process to detect the root cause, including on-site evidence collection and vehicle analysis. Additionally, officers can take help from witnesses’ interviews and forensic research to get hints of the root origin.
Since the officials haven’t released any concrete cause that resulted in the deadly Stillman College car accident. However, the evening time, single vehicle involvement and lead to the ditch, indicates that fatigue, distraction and control loss at the high speed can be the possible reasons. Additionally, the unfavourable road conditions and mechanical failure can also contribute to the incident, but are less common.
What Investigators Have Replied to the Incident?
Unfortunately, the Clayton County Police, Georgia State Patrol, or other investigative bodies didn’t issue a public statement regarding the disaster. They have only confirmed the basic information, including the crash and victim details.
However, multiple college representatives commented and expressed grief on this Stillman College vehicle collision.
Dr. Yolanda W. Page, college’s eighth president stated “This is a terrible tragedy for everyone in our Stillman family. The spirit of each of these proud Stillmanites will live on with all who were greeted by their warm smiles and welcoming personality. The entire Stillman College community mourns this heartbreaking loss. We extend our sincere condolences to their families, friends, classmates, and teammates during this incredibly difficult time.”
Additionally, the Director of Alumni Affairs, Jean Wilson replied:
“Varick and Destiny embodied the spirit of Stillman College—determined, compassionate, and always striving for excellence. As alumni, they continued to uplift others and set examples of leadership in their communities. Their loss is deeply felt among the alumni family.”
Lessons from the Accident
The Fatal accident Stillman College is undoubtedly an unforgettable incident. These accidents usually leave some vital lessons for the people to learn and obey to secure their lives. Even if you drive too frequently, kindly take a note of these must-known pointers:
- Keep away from the distractions, be it using phones or conversations with the co-passangers while driving.
- Whatever the travel type is, you must use seatbelts as they can save lives in serious collisions.
- If you feel tired, the best you can do is avoid driving and taking proper rest.
- Always drive carefully on highways since a slight mistake at high speeds can turn the situation deadly.
- Don’t drive at night and avoid drowsy driving to prevent incidents like the Stillman College tragedy.
- Since mechanical faults can lead to these deadly accidents, you must do a regular checkup of engines, brakes and tires to help prevent sudden crashes.
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Campus Safety Concerns After Accident
The tragic Stillman College student accident case has raised numerous queries on student safety even outside the campus. However, the incident happened off-campus, indicates several concerns, including:
- Lack of Road Safety Concerns: It is true not all students receive training about highway safety, defensive driving and emergency-handling.
- Travel Safety Concerns: Many students stay far from the college campus and they need to cover long distances. Late-night driving, fatigue or lack of trustworthy transportation increases dangers.
- Safety Programs Requirements: Colleges often focus on on-campus safety, including crime prevention and security. The Stillman College crash news sets a true example and importance of safe driving education and travel planning.
- Emergency Preparedness: Students should learn how to act and proceed in emergencies as doing so can save lives.
FAQs
What Happened to the Students from Stillman College?
Based on the reports, three college members, one current student and two alumni, tragically passed away in the deadly crash at I-75 South near Old Dixie Road on May 23, 2025. Moreover, the accident not only hurted families and friends, but it leaves the college authorities mourning even now.
Is I-75 South near Old Dixie Road in Clayton An Accident-Prone Zone?
While there’s no specific or detailed indication, it appears to be an accident-prone stretch for multiple reasons. In recent years, specifically in 2019, several large-scale accidents have happened. Additionally, overspeeding, heavy traffic and commercial congestion contributed to the overall deadly incidents.
What Happened to Varick Lawrence?
Varick along with his life-partner, Destiny Gardner, and close friend, Sieas Elliott, met with a tragic accident on May 23, 2025. The vehicle diverted from its path and landed in a ditch followed by a devastating flame capturing them. Sadly, Varick along with them can’t manage to survive and died on the spot.
How to Survive a Car Crash?
TheStillman College student accident is a threat to the community as such cases are increasing day by day in 2025. In such cases, you can increase your survival chances by wearing seatbelts and using airbags in time. If captured in an accident, the victim should stay calm and act immediately to save lives.
The Final Verdict
The Stillman College car accident sets an alarm among the community to realize the importance of travel and driving awareness. While the victims couldn’t survive the incident, it indicates how devastating a moment can change within seconds.
There is noStillman College crash update from the officials till now as the exact cause is unknown yet. The college authorities expressed their deep condolences to the victims’ friends and family, but the officers are yet to share their comments on this incident.
