TRACK TEAM MOWED DOWN: Virginia State Police report that Milligan University track and field team was struck by a hit and run driver, Eli Cramer killed, four injured, charges of manslaughter or homicide loom

TRACK TEAM MOWED DOWN: Virginia State Police report that Milligan University track and field team was struck by a hit and run driver, Eli Cramer killed, four injured, charges of manslaughter or homicide loom

Jose Efrain Hernandez Mancia
CHARGED WITH DUI

UPDATE FROM VIRGINIA STATE POLICE:

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the driver of a red Toyota Scion, was traveling down Williamsburg Pottery Road ( on private property), when he struck multiple runners that were running along the roadway.  The driver, later identified as Jose Efrain Hernandez Mancia, fled the scene, continued down the road, and proceeded to get onto Route 199, where he then crashed the vehicle into the median. The Mancia then exited the vehicle and a bystander that had stopped rendered aid.
Mancia, 26 years old of the 4000 block of Governors Square, Williamsburg, was found to be intoxicated and was placed under arrest for DUI. He was transported to lock up where he refused to further test and was transported to Riverside Doctors Hospital where a search warrant was executed for a sample of his blood to determine the level of intoxication. 
Eli Cramer of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was one of the runners who was struck by the vehicle and later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Cramer was a student at  Milligan University and was in Williamsburg to attend a track meet. Cramer was running with other team members when he was struck. Next of kin was notified. Other team members that were struck suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. 
Jose Efrain Hernandez Mancia was transported to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail and was charged with the following;
DUI – 1st offense
 DUI – Involuntary Manslaughter
 Felony Hit and RunReckless Driving
 DUI Maiming Refusal – DUI 

York County, Va. – Virginia State Police report that on March 31, 2022, state police were called to investigate a motor vehicle accident involving several pedestrians on Williamsburg Pottery Road, near the Lightfoot Road intersection. 
Preliminary investigations reveal that at approximately 6:02 p.m., the Milligan University men’s cross country/track and field team (5 members) were running on Williamsburg Pottery Road when they were all struck by a red-colored 2 door sedan.

The driver of the sedan continued down Williamsburg Pottery Road, fleeing the scene of the crash. Of the five members, one 21-year-old male suffered serious injuries, and another 20-year-old male suffered life-threatening injuries. All five male members were transported to Williamsburg Sentara Hospital. 
The 20-year-old male, later identified as Eli Cramer, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. 
The driver of the 2 door sedan was located shortly after when he crashed into the median on Route 199 and was taken into custody. 
The Virginia State Police Accident Reconstruction Team was called to assist in the investigation along with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Commonwealth Attorney. 

Police report that this is still an active crime scene and is currently still being investigated. 

Don’t fail to watch this inspirational video from a survivor!

An update and encouragement from senior track athlete Alex Mortimer, who is now out of surgery and stable.


Posted on Milligan University Facebook page:
We are incredibly shocked and saddened to share that members of our men’s cross country/track & field team were in an accident involving a vehicle this evening while running near Williamsburg, VA. Sophomore Eli Cramer succumbed to his injuries. Seniors Alex Mortimer and Eli Baldy also were injured. Mortimer currently is undergoing treatment. Baldy was treated and released. We covet your prayers during this difficult time, especially for the Cramer family.

Milligan-Cross-Country-Track-Field-Team

ABOUT Milligan University

Milligan University is a premier Christian liberal arts university with a distinctively different approach to higher education. Since its founding in 1866, Milligan’s mission has been to educate men and women as servant leaders in a variety of careers. Milligan’s 1,200 students come from 35 states and 15 nations, and together they create a close-knit campus community that offers a strong sense of place and purpose. A low student-faculty ratio offers personal attention from Milligan’s respected and caring faculty. Milligan’s athletic programs have a proud heritage of top student-athletes participating in 24 competitive intercollegiate sports. The Milligan College Buffaloes compete as members of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). In the past 10 years, Milligan has won more than 50 conference titles and made over 60 national tournament appearances. In addition, student-athletes often are recognized on a national level as being Champions of Character and for their commitment to academic quality.

Located in Johnson City, Tennessee, Milligan consistently is named among the top 15 best universities and best buys in the south by U.S. News & World Report, as well as one of the top 100 baccalaureate colleges in the nation by Washington Monthly. In 2013, the college was named to the President’s National Honor Roll with Distinction, which is the highest honor a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. Milligan’s retention and graduate rates are well above other private colleges and state universities, while the cost of a Milligan education is below the national average. Offering more than 100 majors, minors, pre-professional degrees, and concentrations, the college actively integrates high-quality academic programs with biblical faith and a service-oriented philosophy to prepare students for life’s journeys. Nearly 100 percent of Milligan graduates are employed or in graduate school within one year of graduation.

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