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Earlier this evening, Milligan University, an NAIA school in Tennessee, announced via social media that three of their men's distance runners were in an accident "involving a vehicle" while running in Williamsburg, Virginia in preparation for the Colonial Relays at William & Mary.
Here is the full announcement made by Milligan University:
We are incredibly shocked and saddened to share that members of our men’s cross country/track & field team were involved in an accident involving a vehicle this evening while running near Williamsburg, VA. Sophomore Eli Cramer succumbed to his injuries. Seniors Alex Mortimer and Eli Baldy also were injured. Mortimer currently is undergoing treatment. Baldy was treated and released.
We covet your prayers during this difficult time, especially for the Cramer family.
No further details have been made public at the time of publication.
Over the last few seasons, Cramer had emerged as one of the better distance runners in the NAIA. The two-time top-30 finisher at the NAIA XC Championships helped his Milligan teammates earn the NAIA cross country team title last November.
Cramer was a Class of 2020 graduate from Riverdale High School in Tennessee. At Milligan, he was a Business Administration major.
Nearly two years ago, Cramer wrote a "Salute to Seniors" piece for MileSplit Tennessee. You can find that article by clicking here.
Update as of April 1st, 2022 at 12:14pm EST
WTKR.com is reporting that Virginia State Police have arrested an individual who allegedly performed a hit and run which killed one and injured two others on Thursday night. The driver, 26-year-old Jose Efrain Hernandez Mancia, was allegedly intoxicated when the incident occurred.
According to Milligan University, Mancia fled the scene and later crashed into a median before he was taken into custody.
According to WTKR, Mancia is being charged with the following...
DUI - 1st offense
DUI - Involuntary Manslaughter
Felony Hit and Run
Reckless Driving
DUI Maiming
Refusal - DUI
Milligan University has also announced that senior Alex Mortimer, who sustained "life threatening" injuries during the accident, is "out of surgery and stable". The university has also noted that an additional athlete and a coach were on the scene when the accident occurred, although neither individual was injured.