Families, friends mark somber year since death of 4 UGA students

ATLANTA — Four girls and one survivor. April 27 is a day that changed the lives of five families forever.

It has been one year since a tragic car crash claimed the lives of Kayla Canedo, Brittany Feldman, Christina Semeria and Halle Scott. The driver of the car, Agnes Kim, survived but suffered life-changing injuries.

The crash devastated the communities of the University of Georgia and metro Atlanta. Three of the girls graduated from Milton High School and the other from Dunwoody High School.

The wreck happened late at night just south of Watkinsville in Oconee County. Troopers with the Georgia Highway Patrol said that a Toyota Camry with the five young women was heading north on Highway 15 and for some reason, the vehicle crossed the center line and collided with an oncoming car.

The driver of a Chevrolet Cobalt, Abby Short, 27, of Demorest, was injured, transported to Athens Regional Medical Center and later released.

For days following the crash, students at UGA held vigils, prayer groups and came together to remember the young victims.

RELATED STORIES:

• Death of 4 UGA students in crash devastates community
• Remembering UGA students killed in crash
• Troopers reconstruct crash that killed UGA students
• Hundreds gather at emotional vigil for UGA students killed in crash
• UGA crash survivor Agnes Kim receives degree in her absence

“I feel like all day I’ve just been saying, ‘This is a really bad dream that I can’t wake up from,’” said one friend.

The president of Alpha Chi Omega, the sorority that both Kayla and Christina were members of, broke down as she spoke about the girls, who she described as beautiful souls.

“If anything from this tragic situation can bring any peace of mind for me, it’s knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that these best friends met Jesus together last night,” she said.

UGA football coach Kirby Smart released a statement about the wreck, saying:

"Our sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of the Georgia students involved in the devastating automobile accident Wednesday night. It has brought tragedy to an entire campus and we extend our sincerest sympathy to all those who have been touched by this heartbreaking event."

Gov. Nathan Deal ordered flags be flown at half-staff days later. He said simply, "Today, we are all Bulldogs."

Kim, who suffered a brain injury, was in rehabilitation at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. She has documented her recovery in videos posted to her You Caring page.

Cox Media Group