UMO Mourns Loss of Third Student Killed in Fatal Crash

MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive has learned that a third student involved in the vehicle accident that occurred on Friday, March 13 has succumbed to his injuries.

“We are extremely sad to share the news of the passing of Jett Swetland,” said Dr. Ed Croom, Interim President for the University of Mount Olive. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Swetland family at this time, and for the many difficult days ahead. The UMO family continues to struggle with the devastating loss of these young and talented members of our campus community.”

Jett was a senior business management major and former baseball player. He was from Sparta, OH. Jett died on March 16, 2020 as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash that occurred at the intersection of Highway 55 and Indian Springs Road.

The passing of Swetland brings the total loss of life from that fatal crash to three. Freshmen exercise science major Madison Mergl of Sayville, NY and sophomore agribusiness major Ann Wray of Oakland, NJ died on Friday, March 13.

The UMO community continues to uplift prayers for Alex Eubanks of Bowie, MD; Chaney Partrich of Chapin, SC; and Amber McCarthy of Havelock, NC; and Tiffany Lee of Gambrills, MD.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has education service centers in Mount Olive, New Bern, Jacksonville, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, and Washington. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.