UPDATE: Arrest made in death of UM student

Published 12:00 pm Monday, January 18, 2016

 

A man is in custody for his alleged involvement in the hit-and-run death of a University of Mississippi student over the weekend.

According to the Morgantown, West Virginia, Police Department, Alexander Hambrick, 19, turned himself in to police Monday in the case. Police said he was charged under “Erin’s Law” for crash involving death. His arraignment is pending this morning, said Police Chief Ed Preston.

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Carli Elizabeth Sears, 20, of Charleston, West Virginia, was killed Sunday after being struck by a black pickup truck while she was on foot at 2:30 a.m. She died as a result of her injuries at the hospital.

“This tragic news will impact so many within the Ole Miss family,” said Jeffrey S. Vitter, Ole Miss chancellor. “We are keeping Carli’s family and friends in our thoughts and prayers and will do all we can to support them during this time of grief.”

Sears was a junior majoring in hospitality management and was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.

“The University of Mississippi community mourns the tragic loss of Carli Sears,” said Brandi Hephner LaBanc, vice chancellor for student affairs. “We are simply heartbroken by this news. Our thoughts are with all of her family and those in the Ole Miss family that shared in her life.”

UM will share details regarding arrangements and services as the information becomes available.