A 21-year-old UCF honor student was struck and killed on Alafaya Trail near Riverwind apartments Wednesday night, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
Around 9 p.m., Reuel Buchanan was reportedly running through northbound traffic, which had a red light. He crossed over into southbound traffic, which had a green light, where he was struck by a car driven by Adrial Wallaker, 20, according to FHP troopers, reported by the Orlando Sentinel.
Buchanan was reported dead at the scene.
Buchanan was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity and recipient of an Academic Excellence Award.
The UCF community has spoken out since Buchanan’s passing to speak of his character and show their support for his family.
“Our hearts are broken,” Dr. Maribeth Ehasz, the vice president for Student Development and Enrollment Services, said in a statement. “Reuel was an active, engaged student leader known and loved by many in our UCF family. We extend our love and support to his family and friends.”
“…We would like to extend our condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Reuel Buchanan who have been affected in this time of tragedy,” Edrick M. Clapp, the president of the Black Student Union at UCF, said in a statement. “…Reuel was a mentor, friend and a brother to many here on campus and above all else, he was a prime example of what a man of good character should look like.”
“Our sincere condolences go out to the [Omega Psi Phi] for the recent passing of one of their brothers Reuel Buchanan. Our prayers go out to his family as well as your Chapter,” Zeta Phi Beta, a sorority at Florida Atlantic University, tweeted Thursday.
