09-14-05

One ISU student dead, three injured in Boone County car crash

AMES, Iowa -- A two-car accident in Boone County Tuesday night has claimed the life of one Iowa State University student and injured three other ISU students.

The accident occurred at the intersection of Highway 30 and South Linn Street shortly after 8 p.m. Sept. 13. Andrew Albright, a sophomore majoring in ag studies and a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, was killed in the accident. Three other passengers in the car, Justin Sovereign, Douglas Puffet and Thomas Schroeder, were injured. They are all ISU sophomores and also are members of Alpha Gamma Rho. The men were returning from a class at Des Moines Area Community College.

Sovereign was taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Puffet and Schroeder remain under observation at the Boone County Hospital and are in fair condition.

The accident remains under investigation.

Iowa State University officials were notified of the accident at 11 p.m. Tuesday. Student Affairs staff went to the Alpha Gamma Rho house, 201 Gray Ave., and to the Boone County Hospital to provide support to the students' family and friends. Counselors from Iowa State's Student Counseling Center plan to meet with fraternity members this afternoon.

Albright, a native of Lytton, was known to many on the ISU campus. He was a third-generation member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity at Iowa State, following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps. Albright's brothers, Ben and Nick, also are members of Alpha Gamma Rho. Ben, former vice president of the Government of the Student Body, graduated in December 2004, and Nick graduated in May 2005.

Andrew Albright was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho's executive board and led membership development. He worked closely with freshmen in the fraternity. Albright also was a member of the ISU Ambassadors, student leaders who highlight university achievements and promote higher education through communication with legislators and the media. Albright was a member of the Cy Squad homecoming committee and also was involved with Agriculture Future of America, a Kansas City-based organization that prepares college students for careers in the agriculture and food industry.

"Andy was always a high-spirited individual; there was no one in the house who didn't get along with Andy," said Jake Thomsen, Alpha Gamma Rho president. "He always had a positive outlook on life and loved hanging around with friends. Andy had a deep passion for life and always enjoyed moments to the fullest. He will be deeply missed."

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