Southeastern mourns death of students killed, injured in hit and run
Contact: Rene Abadie
3/6/09
HAMMOND – Two Southeastern Louisiana University students and a former student were killed early Friday morning in a hit and run incident on Nashville Avenue, several blocks west of the university campus.
Two other students were injured, one critically.
Victims were business administration graduate student Maxime Profit, 23, of Vaires Sur Marne, France; sophomore Beth Marie Boudreaux, 19, of Husser, a psychology major and member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority; and former student Thurman “Rion” Lowe III, 24, of Kenner.
Injured in the incident were freshman Nadine Steward, 18, of England, a finance major and member of the Southeastern women’s tennis team, and business administration graduate student Maja Bradonjic, 24, of Belgrade, Serbia, a former Southeastern women’s tennis player.
As of 9 a.m., Steward was in critical, but stable, condition at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. Bradonjic was not seriously injured; she was treated and released.
Hammond police, investigating the incident with the cooperation of the Southeastern Police Department, have arrested Derek Lee Quebedeaux, 21, of Hammond. Quebedeaux has been booked into the Tangipahoa Parish jail in Amite on three counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular negligent injury, reckless operation, and DUI.
According to police reports, the incident occurred as the victims, along with several others, were walking single file along the shoulder of Nashville Avenue after leaving a local nightclub, the Buzz, on University Avenue. Witnesses allege Quebedeaux was traveling at a high rate of speed.
“Our prayers and condolences are with the families and friends of these young members of our Southeastern family,” said Southeastern President John L. Crain. The president said members of the University Counseling Center staff are meeting with members of the athletic and Greek communities and other student groups. Students, faculty or staff who wish to meet individually with a counselor may call the center, 985-549-3894.
University officials said a memorial service is being planned for next week.
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