Towson University Mourns 2 Student Deaths
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ)-- The campus of Towson University is reeling after the deaths of not one but two students this weekend.
Derek Valcourt has more.
One death is unexplained. Another student was killed in a hit-and-run accident and the driver that struck him is still on the loose.
On the campus of Towson University, news of the deaths of students Ryan Bailey and Tim Coyer spread quickly.
"I feel so bad for both of their families," Towson University student Rachel Barrows said.
National Guardsman Tim Coyer, 27, served two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan before enrolling in Towson University and joining Kappa Sigma fraternity.
"It's been really hard for everybody right now. We are just in shock," Kappa Sigma fraternity member David Beacken said.
His fraternity brothers tell WJZ Coyer's body was discovered by friends in his off-campus apartment Saturday afternoon. Police say his death does not appear suspicious. An autopsy is underway to determine how he died.
"He was like the older brother that a lot of us didn't have. We could go to him for advice on anything. He just helped us out so much and we really miss him," Kyle Waddon, Coyer's friend, said.
Coyer's death came hours after a hit-and-run driver struck and killed Towson University student Ryan Bailey. Bailey, 20, was crossing York Road near Washington Avenue just before 2 a.m. on Saturday when police say he was hit by an older model silver or white box-style car heading north on York Road. The accident alarmed students who want the driver caught.
"It just makes you think people are out there who would do something like that. Natural instinct would be to take care of him, but I guess he's just thinking about saving his own skin," said one person.
"It really puts things into perspective because they're around our same age and we all have a lot to accomplish and it can just be gone the next day," Towson University student Jeff Cusick said.
Both of the students who died were members of fraternities. A candlelight memorial is being planned in their honor at the campus Tuesday. It will be held at 8 p.m. in Speaker's Circle in the center of Towson University's campus.
A $2,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to an arrest in the hit-and-run death of Bailey. If you have any information call Metro Crime Stoppers at (410)276-8888.
