August 28, 2002

BOLIVAR— One Southwest Baptist University student was killed and three other injured in a one-vehicle accident Saturday (Aug. 24) morning. The accident occurred on northbound Highway 7, approximately 20 miles north of Clinton at about 8:20 am.

The four students were on their way to a friend's house in Lee's Summit, according to the Highway Patrol, when their 1986 Ford Bronco ran off the right side of the road, overcorrected, ran off the left side of the road and overturned into the median.

Ben Davis, 20, was thrown from the vehicle and sustained serious injuries. He was airlifted to Saint Joseph's Health Center in Kansas City where he later died. Davis was a sophomore pre-business major from Grand Island, Neb.

Brittany Wilhelm, 18, also was thrown from the vehicle and sustained serious injuries. She was airlifted to Research Medical Center in Kansas City. She remains in critical condition. Wilhelm is a sophomore biology major from Lake Ozark, Mo.

Kellie Christensen, 20, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Golden Valley Hospital in Clinton. She is being transported to Saint Joseph's Health Center in Kansas City. K. Christensen is a sophomore pre-education major from Grand Island, Neb.

Todd Christensen, 19, (no relation to Kellie Christensen), sustained moderate injuries and was taken to Golden Valley Hospital in Clinton and was later released. Todd Christensen is a second semester freshman mathematics major from Broken Arrow, Okla.

A memorial service for Davis is scheduled for 10 a.m., Friday (Aug. 30) in the Meyer Recital Hall on the SBU campus.

"The entire SBU family is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our hearts and prayers are with Ben's family and friends and with Brittany, Kellie and Todd," said C. Pat Taylor, president of SBU.