By Elena RottigniStaff Writer
A candlelight vigil was held Tuesday night in Greek Circle to saygoodbye to two San Diego State freshmen who died in a car accidentlast weekend.
Brian Jimenez and Zachary Jacobs, both 18, were killed shortlyafter 8 a.m. on Sunday when their 1988 Ford pick-up truck flippedover on Interstate 8, east of Willows Road.
Another SDSU freshman, 18-year-old Joji Peters, is recovering at alocal hospital.
Hundreds of students and friends reunited during the vigil toremember the two students, who were Tau Kappa Epsilon pledges.
“We will give today our last respects to them, and our prayers goto the family and close friends of Zach and Brian,” John Streter, TKEpresident, said at the vigil. “We lost two young and good students,and, even better, friends.”
A stage for the candlelight vigil was set up in front of the TKEfraternity house on College Place and pictures of the three freshmenwere shown. Close by, an American flag hung.
Many friends spoke on stage to remember the two students.
“Zach is one of those few people who always had a smile on hisface,” Sean Jacoby, a TKE member, said. “Zach was one of those peoplethat would have done everything for you and, in fact, he dideverything for me.”
Friends of Jacobs remembered him as being the most sincere, happy,funny, smart and trustful guy that one could ever meet.
“Every day, since that day, I wake up and I just think aboutBrian,” said Ryan Merch, TKE member and Jimenez’s best friend. “Iwish I could tell him how much I loved him.”
Friends of Jimenez said they learned a lot from the freshman, andhe will always be remembered as an amazing person.
The three students were driving back from Ocotillo, just past theImperial County line, where they spent some time with friends. Themeeting was not a sanctioned fraternity event.
CHP officers reported to The San Diego Union-Tribune that aCalifornia Highway Patrol spotted their truck traveling at about 90mph. It veered off the interstate rounding a turn.
All three students were ejected from the truck. It was not knownwho was driving and there was no information available about whetheralcohol was involved.
At the time of the accident, the highway was closed for highwinds.
Shane Bond, Jacobs’ roommate and best friend, said the 1988 truckwas never able to reach 90 mph.
“Every time I go inside my apartment now, I remember him beingthere with me every day,” Bond said.
“I can’t believe my best friend in the whole world is goneforever.”
Jimenez was from Redlands in San Bernardino County. Jacobs wasfrom Wilton, a town south of Sacramento.
TKE has about 85 members at San Diego State. The fraternity wasexpelled from campus in December 2000 for hazing violations. However,the fraternity’s national organization did not terminate the group’scharter and members are still active on campus.
The vigil ended with each TKE member holding a red carnationflower and walking in front of the three pictures to show theirrespect.
“As you can see, Brian and Zach were exceptional kids as well aswonderful members,” Streter said.
“They will never be forgotten.”
