University of Maryland Eastern Shore Mourns Loss of Two First-Year Students in Fatal Car Accident

University of Maryland Eastern Shore Mourns Loss of Two First-Year Students in Fatal Car Accident

Princess Anne, MD – September 4, 2025

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is in mourning after two first-year students were killed in a tragic single-car accident on Wednesday night in Snow Hill, Maryland.

The victims have been identified as:

• Luke Jason Hawthorne, 18, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania

• Munir Loyan Morris, 18, of Capitol Heights, Maryland

Both young men were aviation science majors, just weeks into their studies at UMES.

In a heartfelt message to the university community, President Heidi M. Anderson expressed the deep sense of loss:

“This loss is heartbreaking. Luke and Munir had only just joined our Hawk family, full of hope and potential. It is painful to think of the lives they would have led, the contributions they would have made, and the friendships they would have formed within our community.”

Campus officials confirmed that grief counseling and support services are being made available to students, faculty, and staff in the aftermath of the tragedy. Plans are also underway for a memorial gathering to honor the lives of Luke and Munir, allowing classmates and faculty to share memories and mourn together.

The Snow Hill Police Department is leading the investigation into the crash. Details surrounding the cause of the accident have not yet been released.

The UMES community remembers Luke and Munir as young men with ambition, talent, and promise — their loss described as “a devastating blow” to the tight-knit campus.

“We ask everyone to keep their families and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time,” President Anderson added.