By Carolyn Holtzman
Third year Washington and Lee law student Lara Gass died Tuesday morning in a car crash on Interstate 81 in Augusta County. Gass’ car rear-ended a tractor-trailer near mile-marker 210 and she died at the scene.
State Police Sgt. C.J. Aikens said the tractor-trailer was in the right lane, partially on the shoulder and in the road, and had stopped because of a two-car accident ahead.
Gass’ car hit the rear driver’s side of the tractor-trailer and ignited on impact. Aikens said rescue workers were able to remove Gass from the car before it was engulfed in flames.
Gass served on the editorial board of W&L’s Law Review and as a Kirgis fellow. She was inducted only recently into the national leadership society Omnicron Delta Kappa. She was also active in the Women Law Students Organization.
A candlelight vigil was held for Gass Wednesday evening in front of Lee Chapel.
Information was also gathered by Olivia Hampton.