North Carolina Central University senior killed in Durham crash remembered at memorial service
DURHAM (WTVD) -- Hundreds of students, staff and loved ones gathered at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium at North Carolina Central University early Wednesday evening to hold a memorial for 22-year-old Chekeria Reid.
The NCCU senior was killed Tuesday evening in a car accident on N.C. Highway 55 at Crete Street. Durham police say around 6:30 p.m. Reid was riding in a car with her boyfriend, 19-year-old Tariq Jacobs, at the wheel.
Police say Jacobs crossed the center line and hit an oncoming car driven by 27-year-old Joshua Clark. Reid died on scene, Jacobs and Clark were taken to Duke University Hospital. Clark has since been released. Jacobs is in stable condition.
Reid was heavily involved in sports at NCCU as the team manager for the football and women's basketball teams.
"Chekeria was such a vibrant young woman who would light up the room with her energy and enthusiasm. I enjoyed my conversations with her about career aspirations in athletics. She took her job as a manager with our women's basketball and football teams very seriously and it showed in her dedication to her fellow peers, coaches, and our athletics program. We will miss her dearly," said NCCU Director of Athletics, Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree.
"Just her work ethic, that's one of the things that stood out to me the first day we got a chance to meet her. She was an extremely hard worker, infectious smile always in a good mindset and great attitude," said NCCU football coach Jerry Mack.
In a release, Chancellor Dr. Debra Saunders-White said Reid was from Greensboro and a recreation administration major with a concentration in sports management and a minor in business.
Mack said Jacobs, who is on the football team, had surgery earlier Wednesday. One of Jacobs' teammates who visited him at the hospital said the sophomore is heartbroken over the loss of his girlfriend.
Chancellor Saunders-White said Jacobs is a hospitality and tourism major. Grief counselors were available in the A.E. Student Union.
Durham police said no charges have been filed, but they say speed was a factor and the accident is still under investigation.
