May 10 UMES students car accident

[rr_a_umes_parent]

My daughter attends UMES, located in Princess Anne, MD. She called me in the wee hours of the morning today, hysterical after witnessing a severe car accident involving students leaving a near-campus party. She and her friends were nearly hurt when the accident vehicles repeatedly flipped very close to where they were walking. An male occupant of one of the vehicles was killed, and she reports that emergency personnel did not attempt to remove this young man from his SUV in a timely manner, instead, letting him linger and moan, and finally uprighting his vehicle almost 2 hours later. Upon doing so, the young man's body, fell from the window he had been hanging from, in view of anyone present.

I am angered because the emergency personnel were allegedly very laxed in helping the student victims AND the local media seem to have ignored reporting this accident in their local area. I have been searching for reporting on this accident and haven't found anything on the WBOC website (the closest local TV station), or anything on the internet. I'm sure if this accident happened at Salisbury Univ.,(10 minutes up the road from UMES) this story would be all over the local media, up to an including the Baltimore/Washington media market. I hate to think that the response and reporting of this accident involving UMES students has any racial overtones, but it seems to be the case. I would like to hear whatever justification might be offered for the treatment of this incident. A mother is grieving her child's death today, Mother's Day 2009, and no one is outraged. I AM!

[mz_understood]

My sister a student at UMES just called me a little while ago and told me about the accident. She and her friends also witnessed the accident and said they stood around outraged as the young man asked for help and the police just stood around watching. I have been unable to find anything on the internet in reference to the accident. I am a resident of Princess Anne. I heard the fire whistle go off for about 30-45 minutes this morning around the time the accident had occurred and I knew that something had to be terribly wrong. We need to learn the truth in regards to this matter. My heart goes out to the mother that just lost her child on Mother's Day.

rr_a_umes_parent wrote:

My daughter attends UMES, located in Princess Anne, MD. She called me in the wee hours of the morning today, hysterical after witnessing a severe car accident involving students leaving a near-campus party. She and her friends were nearly hurt when the accident vehicles repeatedly flipped very close to where they were walking. An male occupant of one of the vehicles was killed, and she reports that emergency personnel did not attempt to remove this young man from his SUV in a timely manner, instead, letting him linger and moan, and finally uprighting his vehicle almost 2 hours later. Upon doing so, the young man's body, fell from the window he had been hanging from, in view of anyone present.
I am angered because the emergency personnel were allegedly very laxed in helping the student victims AND the local media seem to have ignored reporting this accident in their local area. I have been searching for reporting on this accident and haven't found anything on the WBOC website (the closest local TV station), or anything on the internet. I'm sure if this accident happened at Salisbury Univ.,(10 minutes up the road from UMES) this story would be all over the local media, up to an including the Baltimore/Washington media market. I hate to think that the response and reporting of this accident involving UMES students has any racial overtones, but it seems to be the case. I would like to hear whatever justification might be offered for the treatment of this incident. A mother is grieving her child's death today, Mother's Day 2009, and no one is outraged. I AM!

[UMES_Student]

That is my mom, above me. And I was the one and a few other friends where walking home, from a local party, and we where only a few feet from the accident. we saw the cars coming into the intersection, and the cars hitting each other. When we called the police, it took them 10mins to get to us, and the FIRE STATION IS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET. they took there time, and they didnt do anything when they where at the scene. They let him die. he was alive for about 20mins.he was screaming for help and we saw him moving.. THey could have moved him from underneath the truck but they didnt. I fault Princess Anne fire and police, for the Death, of my Hawk family memeber, my friend, my classmate ANTWAN JOHNSON. they let him die,and thats not ok. we need to speak up. and if his family won't I will, thats not right and I was there when it all happend, and I had to watch helpless watching him die, because the fire department didnt want to do anything. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

[Family Friend of Antwan]

im a family friend of antwan and trust the pain is unbearable especially when we dont kno all the details. Its strange that there are no news articles or anything and its almost be 24 hours. Im glad you posed this so we at least know something. though im sure his mom and immediate family would like to kno these details, i think knowin that he could still b here if ppl were on their job brings more pain. again thank u.

[A Johnson]

....I live down the street on Beechwood. I got up after I hearing all the student crying asking the police and fire dept to help. I was shock that the concern was to get everyone away from the area. Even the campus police did not care how this was handle.
They act like the students and the black people was so upset and there would be a roit. The concern was just get them out the area before helping this young black man. It was so sad to hear and see this. This show how the police, fire dept and other whites in this area feel about these young black students.
I have watch the local news wboc and 47 news and there was NO report at all. My heart hurt for all those student out there crying and hollowing for them to help. I went home said prayer and cried for what I was hearing outside my window. Let's see how or if the University react to this

[UNCLE OLLIE]

Wow!! This is heartbreaking. My son is a student at U.M.E.S. and he also called me in the middle of the night Saturday sceaming that the fire department and police were just standing around while his friend was trapped under a pick-up truck. he also stated that several other students tried to lift the truck but couldn't. You'd think that the people in charge of public safety would treat every person with the same respect. But I guess it's still true that some things never change. The KKK are still prevalent in that area. So when calling for police/fire you will probably be getting one of them. That goes to the lack of hast to free the young man and render care. I hope that not only the University investigates this accident, but also the local N.A.A.C.P. will also get involved. Shame on local newspaper/t.v./radio for not reporting this accident. I'm planning to transfer my son out for the next semester, because my family would be devistated if this were to happen to him.

[concerned parent]

It's a sad day for all the UMES students. My son is also a good friend of ANTWAIN and he is devestated. My heart and prayers go out to the parents of this fine young brother and as for the students I wish pray for you also. My heart goes out to the students who witness such an injustice but to you my young brothers and sisters take the anger that you feel and make it known that this type of behavior is unacceptable to our race, our rights and to the one we lost.
Remember all of us are on loan, tomorrow is not promised to anyone so live your life with no regret, anger or malice. Love and pray for each other

[neicy]

it so sad to realize that racism is still alive but is being concilled. to get ppl off site before rescuin show there is something wrong with there morals. i lost my brother to gun shots two yrs ago and the pain my mother feels live in her everyday..so to his mom i know it will be hard but thank god for life and breath and kno thisis in his plan. he took twan so he can be with HIM and his angels. i have been praying and will continue to pray for his family there hearts and sorrows...
to the students let this be a reminder that NOTHING is promised not your wealth, and definately not your life. this gives us a further hatred for the police butfor us to seek justice we have to band together and fight them the lawful way..plenty of us are criminal justice majors and if you want something done this may be your time
we miss you twan and you will forever be remembered

[frustrated parent]

Wow! My daughter is @ UMES too. She'd called to wish me a happy mothers day. We talked for about 2 hours, upon leaving her room, during our conversation, she ran into some fellow students and we both heard at the same time what had happed to the young man named Antwan. My heart just dropped. I really feel for the family. You send your child to college and you never anticipate such a thing to happen. My daughter stated that there has been a fatal car accident every year she's been there. We had prayer for the family and students on the phone.
I work 2 jobs so I had no idea that the media hadn't reported this..........until I googled it and found this page with these responses. I'm transferring mine too. Her last exam is friday and I'll be picking up Friday nite.
Keep all these kids in prayer for their safety while they are away from home.

[soconcerned28]

I'm also surprised that such a tragedy hasn't been posted in the news.Is it not important also?I feel that there's alot of mixed feelings about it that should be addressed.What did happened? I am a resident of princess anne and heard the sirens going off early in the morning before sunrise but didn't realize what happened until I went to church that morning and we began to pray for the family.Alot of UMES students attend our church and we treat them as our own being that they're away from their parents while attending college.So while they are hurting so our we.Its such a sad time for the family and friends to have to mourn their loss especially on mother's day.For his mother to have to get that call,will never forget this day,and to travel from her home knowing that her "baby" is already gone.My prayers go out to her and the family.There are people of the congregation who are also employed at the college so they may have infact known the young men involved.My prayers goes out to UMES,friends ,and family who is also in mouring.Also my prayers go out to those of the community who witnessed it happen who will never be the same again. Please keep in mind that this a tragedy and to give the family their privacy for this is a difficult time for everyone.

[HoldingOn]

I am the sister of the driver of the car that Antwan was in. My brother is a total wreck. This was a friend of his that he witnessed die. I am trying my best to hold it together for him and my family. As you can imagine this is bittersweet for my family as my brother survived but someone else lost their loved one. Everyday for the rest of his life he will have to live with this. Can you imagine having to deal with that? My family sends our condolences and prayers to Antwan's family as well as all of the students and campus employees. As I have been telling my brother this is God's will and although we don't understand it we cannot question it. We just have to find solace in knowing that God loves us and doesn't give us more then we can bare.

[April Johnson]

My daughter Corissa is a long time friend of Antwan and to read the details of what happened to him from the witnesses I am Sicken my heart screams with pain know that this did not have to be the outcome of this accident. Something Has to be done we can NOT allow our children to be treated this way. As I type I will be contacting the NAACP I will email senate congress all the local news station on my area, The mayor and the President and or Dean of UMES My Voice will be HEARD. This is 2009 I refuse to allow my children or there friend to witness or deal with RACISM THIS is SICK UMES you will be Hearing from Me!!!!! my condolences go out to Antwan Mother siblings Family, friends and all the Besties my prayers are with you.

[P Johnson]

My son is a UMES student and called me crying at 4:30 am on Mothers'Day. First I offer my condolences to this young man's family. My heart grieved with the thought of a mother having to get this type of phone call. This is a case that needs investigation. My son stated that the police and fire department threaten students of arrest if they did not get back. He stated that after more than an hour and a half the fire department lifted the truck and the young man's body fell to the ground. There has been an injustice to an aspiring and promising young man and the truth needs to be heard. My son states that he had to constantly calm his schoolmates to avoid them being arrested. What in the "Hell" is going on in this county. How is it that in 2009 our children cannot be treated with respect and dignity even in death. To let this young man's body fall after the truck was lifted is unacceptable. For fireman to wash off their shoes while this young man is under the truck in inhumane and insensitive.
Has anyone told Princess Anne officials that human rights and dignity belong to all peersons regardless of their color.

It is time for exams and can we really expect all of UMES students to focus on studying after seeing something so tragic. They saw him moving and the officials not help him.

My suggestion is that evry concerned student call the NAACP, Al Sharpton, and whoever else that will listen. UMES needs to cancel exams and let our youth mourn the lost of a collegue My son describes Antwan as an extrodinary young man who was always smiling and never had a mean thing to say about anyone. Why do bad things happen to good people?

[RONALD]

ANTWAN IS MY BIG COUSIN AND I REALLY MISS MI COUSIN THATS MESSED UP THEY COULD HAVE DONE SOMTHING FORGET THE POLICE

[MSA]

I witnessed the incident and my mother has posted on this form. Princess Anne Authorities handled the situation incorrectly. It took medics 30 minutes to arrive because they are volunteers. Why are there volunteers in a collegetown with 4,000 students. Then after they arrived they did not take the car off of him for 2 hours!!!! Then when they lifted the car his deformed body fell from the vehicle. Had he not been sitting under the vehicle for hours maybe he would still be living!!! The medics arrived late so they automatically pronounced him dead and gave up on him!! They never gave him a fighting chance!! This is ridiculous, they think the Students are going to sit back and let this happen. Trust me I speak for everyone at the University, Princess Anne will Pay for what they did to Antwan!! R.I.P Antwan You Were A Good Guy!!!

[JUSTICE FOR UMES]

I am a resident of Princess Anne. I am also very well acquainted with the behavior of police and ems in that area. As mentioned above, Princess Anne Fire Dept is a volunteer organization. That is a county issue that must be addressed by the somerset county commissioner. I, too, have requested an ambulance and have waited for 20 minutes only to receive an ambulance from salisbury which is 15 minutes away. I LIVE 5 MINUTES FROM THE PRINCESS ANNE STATION!! I searched everywhere for a newspaper article or a report...nothing. So what did I do? I called WBOC and told them what had happened. They said that the police agency that handled the accident is supposed to send them a report and they will base the news coverage on the police agency's statement. I called WBOC, the day AFTER the accident and still, there is nothing. It saddens me that this young man laid there screaming for help. I was told he was dead on impact. Now they are treating the students like animals because they fear "retaliation". Is racism a factor?? Of course. Plain and simple, but do not complain on this message board. Go to the SOMERSET COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OFFICE ON SOMERSET AVE and make a report...COMPLAIN. Make someone stand up and pay attention because if no one speaks on behalf of this fallen hawk, his death will go unnoticed. The cops out here are rude and racist. Princess Anne Police only has TWO black cops....only recently were these two added. The fire dept is literally filled with white men who dread coming on campus. A few weeks ago a balcony collapsed and several students from UMES were injured...some were SERIOUSLY INJURED. Were any of you parents aware of that?? They treat these students like lepers. If it werent for these students, this town would perish. These students keep their businesses going, they keep the ailing county economy out of the toilet, yet LOOK AT HOW THEY TREAT YOUR CHILDREN. I am so angry. They are sweeping this child under the rug and it is absolutely abominable. I did not know Antwan, but I know some of those students and if it were my friend or my child someone would be catching hell. There is a vigil for this young man tomorrow. I am calling every media outlet and radio station in the area. When they come to interview these kids, I want to hear the truth because someone has to tell it. I'm praying for his mother and his family and friends. I will especially pray for the young man who survived and will have the memory of his dying friend etched into his mind forever. I'm telling everyone who sees this: COMPLAIN, PROTEST, FOLLOWUP AND REPEAT. If that poor boy laid under that car screaming for help and no help was given to him, someone DESERVES to be punished, sued, fired and more. People who have pledged an oath to do no harm and to protect us should abide by that oath no matter what color or creed the patient is. I am literally appalled. Also the Dept of Public safety is located in the same building as the commissioners office. They dispatch police and fire and ambulances for the county and could provide information such as when the calls came in and when crews actually were sent and arrived. The fire dept is literally 1 minute from the accident site...not even a block away. So who can explain to me why that child laid there for 2 hours?? And why in the world would they let his broken, deformed, dead body tumble from that vehicle in plain view of all those young people?? That can ruin a child. Whether they knew Antwan or not, they have seen a DEAD BODY. No, this isnt right. Someone needs to be held accountable.

[a UMES student]

this is beyond crazy. I did not know him personally, but he was a friend of my friends. it is unfair that the fire dept/police/whatever... literally did NOTHING to help...all we wanted was an attempt, a chance for him to get help... i have ALWAYS knew that something was wrong with local authorities, their actions that night proved how inhumane they can be....I DONT CARE if you think it's unfair for me to generalize or whatever....This has forever changed my life, we were literally minutes from heading to that same spot, so it could have been ANY of us....Prayers go out to his family, every student that was out there or has been affected by this tragedy....please be safe out there, i love my fellow hawks, rest in paradise Twan

[Marcus JohnsoN]

I am antwan johnson cousin.... my family and I are devasted by what happen to my cousin on mothers day...it is still a shock to all of us! I have read so many stories about what happen to my cousin that morning...we just want to know the truth...he will not die in vain... my heart is broken because my cousin and I were very close he was my favorite cousin and when I got the call I could not believe it was him ....naw not him... all I can remember is his smile, his personality,his love for his mom,his basketballs, he was 1 of a kind.. And he will truely be missed... his mom, sister and 2 brothers is definitely heartbroken. It's a shame the way the police and ems responded and didn't do anything....the police,ems,and students together could have pulled the truck off my cousin if they really wanted to save him ecspecially with him screaming out for help... I can't imagine hearing my cousin scream out for help...the pain he was in I'm sure was unbareable....but he was fighting to stay alive and all he wanted was some1 to get the truck off of him... I've heard before that ur not suppose to touch a person if they are badly injured... but they wasn't touching him...all they needed to do was move the vehicle...but they didn't and my family wants to know why? Thanks for all the prayers ..... twan I miss you,the whole family do...U will neva B 4gotten..We love you!

[U will be missed]

I think that this whole situation is very sad... I still dont understand how they could let him die and it hurts to know they let him... he was a good boy and didnt deserve to inhale misery but we will get our revenge. I am mad that they just stood there it was indeed another act of racism unwanted. I think that he could still be alive today.. I will always miss you antwan

[Etoy Hamlin]

My heart is breaking for Antwan's family and his friends that he has left behind. I also received a phone call at 4:00 a.m. from my son who was so distraught I could not understand what he was saying. I was afraid for my son, who was close friends with Antwan. I was relieved that he was not involved in the accident. I was heartbroken for Antwan's parent and now I am concerned about what will happen next. I lived in Delaware for several years before moving back to Baltimore and really did not want my son to attend UMES. I believe that a lot of the old ways of doing things have not changed. I was not there so I don't know what happened, but I do know a mother lost her child on Mother's Day. I know that the UMES Community is mourning, although I do wonder why I have not even seen anything on the UMES website. I hope the students and community can rally in a peaceful way that will bring light to what continues to be a problem in this area. I know that when things are done in order, God will remove obstacles and open doors for change. Our children have a right to their anger and pain and should be allowed to mourn Antwan without fear of police reprisal. I pray for God's comfort and peace for everyone who is hurting.
God Bless everyone who has been affected directly or indirectly.