Gov. Deal opens up about deaths of 4 beloved UGA students

CLARKE COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia's governor is joining the University of Georgia community in mourning four students who died in a car crash Wednesday night.

Gov. Nathan Deal ordered flags on state property lowered to half-staff in their honor.

Brittany Feldman, 20, Halle Scott, 19, Kayla Canedo, 19, and Christina Semeria, 19, died Wednesday night when the car they were riding in crossed the center line and crashed into another car.

"It is certainly one of those great tragedies," Deal said.

The four UGA students were killed in a car crash this week.

"On behalf of all the citizens of Georgia we offer up our condolences to their families and friends," Deal told Channel 2’s Audrey Washington.

The governor said he's praying for the families of the victims.

"For anyone to lose a child is probably one of the greatest losses anyone could experience. Our hearts go out to them," Deal said.

READ: Hundreds gather at emotional vigil for UGA students killed in crash

The students were killed Wednesday night when the car they were in, hit another car along Highway 15.

Deal said the accident reminds him of the crash that killed another group of young students last year.

"Unfortunately we had another tragedy like this where we lost five young nursing students from Georgia Southern, so these kinds of things are just very difficult," Deal said.

UGA held an emotional vigil in memory of the students.

Now, as the flags at fly at half-staff, Deal says he hopes people will remember how precious life really is.

"For young college students who often feel themselves as invincible this is a stark reminder that life can sometimes be very short, so make the most of what you have," Deal said.

READ: Death of 4 UGA students in crash devastates community

Also Friday, Rep. Jody Hice led the Georgia delegation in a moment of silence in Washington, D.C.

Georgia lawmakers offered their condolences to the victims' families. Hice represents Athens and Oconee County.

All four young women killed were involved in Greek life.

Flowers can be seen along the row of sorority houses and there is a banner at the Pi Phi house.

Students say it's still a sad and somber mood around Athens.

Even for those who did not know them personally, everyone in Bulldog nation feels connected.

"People pull together regardless if you knew them or not. It hit you, but a reflection that you only have today and those that are affect, we're all students at UGA. Pull together and support those truly affected by this tragedy,” graduate student Hillary Turner said.

The brother of one of the victims spoke at one of the memorials on campus Thursday. %

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Twenty-seven University of Georgia students, faculty and staff members who died since last April will be honored at the university’s annual candlelight memorial service May 3 at 7 p.m. on the steps of the Chapel.

UGA President Jere W. Morehead will lead the service, called “Georgia Remembers … a Candlelight Memorial.” Names of each of the 15 students and 12 faculty and staff members will be read aloud, followed by a toll of the Chapel bell and the lighting of a candle.

Names will be read by David Shipley, chair of the executive committee of University Council; Michael Lewis, chair of the executive committee of the Staff Council; and Houston Gaines, president of the Student Government Association.

Cox Media Group