The Stillman College community is mourning the death of one student and two alumni killed in a Friday evening wreck.

In a statement, the school identified the three victims as student Sieas Elliot and alumni Destiny Gardner and Varick Lawrence. It said the three were killed in a car crash that occurred in the Atlanta area.

“This is a terrible tragedy for everyone in our Stillman family,” Stillman’s president, Yolanda Page, said. “The spirit of each of these proud Stillmanites will live on with all who were greeted by their warm smiles and welcoming personality. The entire Stillman College community mourns this heartbreaking loss. We extend our sincere condolences to their families, friends, classmates, and teammates during this incredibly difficult time.”

The college identified Elliot as a native of Stockbride, Georgia, who had played baseball for the school and who planned to serve as an assistant coach while completing his degree in the coming academic year. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Gardner, a Montgomery native, was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc and served as the 74th Miss Stillman in 2021-2022.

She was a 2022 graduate with a degree in criminal justice and was working at a regional youth detention center in DeKalb County, Georgia.

Lawrence, a 2023 graduate, was an Omega Psi Phi member who had played baseball at Stillman, and worked as a baseball coach in the Atlanta area.

According to the Stillman statement, Lawrence and Gardner had a young son together.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life of two former student-athletes, Sieas Elliot and Varick Lawrence, and Miss Destiny Gardner,” said Terrance Whittle, director of athletics and former head baseball coach. “The Department of Athletics wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family of these young persons whom all had an invaluable imprint on Stillman College. … Personally my heart will forever mourn with the families as well as celebrate the lives of Varick and Sieas. I had the honor of having them as two of my hundreds of sons I have coached. I will never forget the spirit and connectedness of heart and brotherhood they brought to my life and all those that walked with us.”

“Varick and Destiny embodied the spirit of Stillman College —determined, compassionate, and always striving for excellence,” said Director of Alumni Affairs Jean Wilson. “As alumni, they continued to uplift others and set examples of leadership in their communities. Their loss is deeply felt among the alumni family.”