Published on April 13 | Updated on April 20
WEST CHESTER, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Friends and family are remembering a West Chester University student after he was hit by a car near his fraternity house and killed over the weekend.
Friends have identified the victim as 21-year-old Garrett Nicholas. Jimmy Kane, who created a GoFundMe page to cover memorial expenses and help Nicholas’ family, described him on the donation site as “the kind of person who would give you hope, and watching his actions inspired everyone around him to be kinder. He played his role perfectly, showing all of us what it means to be a true, genuine friend. We all need to be more like Garrett.”
Around 1:30 a.m. Sunday on High Street, near Union Street, Nicholas was hit by a driver while crossing the street near the Pi Kappa Alpha house. Police said he was taken to the hospital, where he died.
West Chester police did not describe the incident as a hit-and-run. In a news release, police said they identified the driver and the vehicle. Charges, however, have not been filed, as police continue to investigate. Investigators checked the neighborhood for surveillance footage on Monday.
A longtime business owner nearby told KYW Newsradio that speeding and reckless driving on High Street is a major issue, and people have gotten hit before; it doesn’t matter the time of day. Cars zoomed by well past the 25 mph speed limit.
Many stopped by the frat house on Monday, bringing flowers and doing what they could to honor Nicholas’ life.
“I feel like support right now is what this community really needs. And to look across the street and see everyone come together, it really shows how strong our community is here at West Chester,” Carly MacDonald told NBC10.
“We are deeply saddened about this tragedy and know that this news will be hard for a number of those in our Golden Ram family,” Dr. Jasmine H. Buxton, West Chester University vice president for student affairs, said in a message to the school community. “We grieve over the loss of our student with their family, friends, and everyone who knew them.”
The university reminded students that counseling services were available for those who needed assistance.
Nicholas' organs were donated to the Gift of Life program. It saved three lives and will help heal up to 100 others through tissue donation.
Fraternity brothers, students and friends will honor Nicholas as part of team #BeLikeGarrett at Gift of Life’s 29th Annual Donor Dash on Sunday, April 26, at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
