We are issuing the following on behalf of Thomas R. Dougan, vice president for Student Affairs.

The University community is deeply saddened by the death of junior student Erica Knowles of Wakefield. The 23-year-old journalism and women’s studies major died after injuries suffered in an auto accident Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 12:10 a.m. on Torrey Road in South Kingstown. Ms. Knowles was a passenger in the back seat, and she was wearing her seatbelt when the car struck a utility pole and some trees.

Ms. Knowles was well known in our journalism community and she was a talented young poet. She was a woman who met every challenge and was determined to finish her degree even in the face of some difficult circumstances. We will miss her greatly, and we offer our thoughts and prayers to her family, friends, professors and classmates.