University of Toledo pole vaulter Eva Moran has died after being involved in a three-vehicle car accident in Marion County, Ohio, on Friday, May 29, the school has confirmed. She was 19.
Moran was entering her sophomore season with the Rockets and pursuing a degree in health sciences.
“The University of Toledo community is heartbroken by the loss of Eva Moran,” Toledo Director of Athletics Tom Moreland said in a statement on Saturday, May 30. “Eva was an outstanding student-athlete whose determination, character and positive spirit made an impact on everyone who had the opportunity to know her.”
He continued, “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Eva’s parents, Alena and Derrek, and her siblings, Maddox, Jaxton and Kya. We ask that everyone keep Eva’s family and those closest to her in their thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”
The accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Friday evening when Moran, who was driving her 2012 Hyundai Elantra, hit another vehicle that had stopped to turn into a private driveway, Toledo’s 13ABC reported.
Moran “failed to maintain assured clear distance ahead,” striking the car and careening into the opposite lane where another oncoming vehicle hit hers. Moran was ejected from her car and later pronounced dead at Marion General Hospital.
The other two drivers involved were treated for minor injuries.
“There are no words to adequately express the sadness our team feels over the loss of Eva,” Toledo track and field coach Andrea Grove-McDonough said in a statement. “She was a remarkable young woman whose energy, determination and kindness made an immediate impact on our program.”
She continued, “Eva approached every practice, every competition and every challenge with a positive attitude and a genuine love for her teammates. She was eager to learn, eager to improve and proud to represent the University of Toledo.”
Though she only competed one season for Toledo, the pole vaulter made an immediate impact on her team, placing 10th at the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships in May with a height of 3.57 meters, the sixth-best in program history.
In addition to track and field, Moran also competed in cross country and basketball at River Valley High School in Caledonia, Ohio.
“The University of Toledo has so much to offer not only in the athletics but also has such an outstanding academic environment,” Moran told Toledo Athletics upon joining the team. “Going to the University of Toledo is so exciting because there is so much room to grow to reach my full potential. I cannot wait to be a rocket and see what’s in store for me at the University of Toledo!”
