Winthrop University Mourns Death Of Student With “Beautiful Soul” Who Died In I-85 Crash

Kuira Cruz, from Rock Hill, has been identified as the Winthrop University student who died in an I-85 crash Thursday, police and school officials confirmed.

Cruz, 20, was traveling on Interstate 85 in Davidson County, N.C., when her vehicle and a tractor-trailer collided in North Carolina, the N.C. Highway Patrol wrote in a report.

Cruz was in her second semester at Winthrop, said school officials.

“Our thoughts are with her family, fellow students and colleagues who knew her,” said Frank Ardaiolo, Winthrop vice-president for student life. source

Cruz was studying biology, school officials said. She graduated from South Pointe High School in Rock Hill. She was described as having a beautiful soul by friends, Winthrop officials said.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

The crash remains under investigation.