Kenyan athlete Joan Jepngetich has died in the US after her car caught fire on Christmas Day.
A promising Kenyan student-athlete tragically lost her life in a car accident in the US on Christmas Eve, December 25.
Joan Jepngetich, 24, died after the vehicle she was riding in veered off the road and crashed into a tree in Rock Island County, Illinois.
The accident, which occurred at around 10.33 pm US time (around 6.00 am Kenyan time), caused the Mercedes Benz in which Jepngetich was riding to burst into flames moments after hitting the tree. According to Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson, Joan died at the scene before the vehicle caught fire.
The other two occupants of the vehicle, a driver and a passenger, survived the crash and were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Although the circumstances that caused the vehicle to veer off Interstate 80 are unclear, the Illinois State Police Troop 2, the Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit and the Rock Island County Coroner’s Office are all investigating.
The deceased Joan was a student-athlete at Carl Sandburg College and had established a reputation as a promising athlete at the institution.
Hours after his death was confirmed, the track team at Central Iowa Community College, the institution where he developed his track skills, took to social media to mourn her. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Joan’s family, her friends and the members of the Carl Sandburg College team,” the statement read.
Sandburg College also issued its own statement of condolence for Joan, who was a key member of the institution’s women’s national team.
“We are heartbroken and send our best wishes for comfort, peace and healing to our entire Charger family, especially the families and friends of the students affected by the accident,” the statement read.
The College is committed to continuing to work with the student’s family by offering free counseling services to all those affected by Joan’s death.
