A University of Idaho freshman and member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority died Nov. 20 from injuries sustained in a car accident the day before when traveling south of Smith’s Ferry in Idaho.
Sarah Asmus, 18, was the passenger in a 2006 Toyota Camry driven by UI student and Kappa Alpha Theta sister Katherine Bulcher, 19. Asmus and Bulcher were traveling southbound on slush-covered roads when Bulcher lost control of the vehicle, fishtailed and crossed the centerline into oncoming traffic.
The Camry collided with an oncoming truck driven by a 62-year-old Boise resident who attempted to avoid Bulcher by moving to the right, according to the Idaho State Patrol report. Occupants of both vehicles were taken to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.
Asmus, a biology major, died at the hospital as a result of her injuries and Bulcher, an elementary education major, is still in recovery at the hospital in Boise. UI Dean of Students Bruce Pitman said he was told the two were part of a three – or four-car caravan traveling home together because they wanted to make the trip safely. He said he spoke with one person who witnessed the accident and she said a nurse and EMT were present and able to give aid almost immediately.
Pitman said he spoke with Bulcher’s parents and they expect her to make a full recovery. He said she is walking and regaining her memory, and that he was told Bulcher said to her doctor Monday that “she’s a Vandal.”
A candlelight vigil in memory of Asmus is planned for 7 p.m. Friday at St. Augustine’s Catholic Center, and a memorial service was held Wednesday in her hometown of Blackfoot, Idaho.
Pitman said members of his staff were notified of the accident the day it happened and Matt Kurz, Greek adviser, called him Nov. 20 to let him know Asmus had died. Pitman said he spoke with her father a few hours later and was in communication with the family up to the funeral.
“I flew down for the funeral and so we spoke a few times between Sunday and Wednesday,” Pitman said.
Pitman said Asmus’ family was warm, generous and willing to talk about their daughter with those who attended the funeral and others in general.
“They were caring very deeply for Sarah’s friends … that they were getting the support they needed,” Pitman said.
He said he thought the compassion they showed helped the others heal. He said Asmus’ older sister, Rachel, spoke at the funeral on behalf of her parents Kurt and Elaine and the family, and was “remarkably composed and generous in her comments.”
Kurt Asmus is a member of the Blackfoot Police Department, Pitman said, and law enforcement officers participated and helped with the service, which he said was beautiful.
“Uniformed officers were everywhere,” he said. “It was very, very impressive.”
About 20 members of Asmus’ sorority also attended the funeral in Blackfoot and her family treated them as family, Pitman said. He said members of his staff, the UI Counseling and Testing Center and Kappa Alpha Theta alumnae also visited the sorority Sunday to talk about support services available and the grieving process.
Pitman said they felt it was important to meet with the sorority before the school week began because members are experiencing different stages of the grieving process.
“These women already had a week to grieve and be with their families and be cared for by their mothers and fathers,” Pitman said.
He said Kappa Alpha Theta also held a private memorial Monday, in addition to the vigil that is planned for the end of the week.
“We encourage students to go to the University of Idaho Counseling and Testing Center or if they’re part of a faith community seek support in that community and to participate in the candlelight experience,” Pitman said.
He said he thinks the vigils have meaning and are an opportunity for healing. He also said students might find it helpful to write notes of condolence for the family because they can help both sides.
Pitman said his staff is always working with other faculty to identify students impacted by the incident they may not otherwise know about.