Hundreds Gather To Remember Student Killed In Hit-And-Run
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) — Towson University students gathered on campus Tuesday night to remember a classmate.
The 20-year-old accounting student was the victim of a hit-and-run driver. The campus community said the vigil is to remember Mzi Ncube, but also to keep his case in the public eye, as officers continue to search for the driver who hit him Saturday night.
Hundreds of people stood in the cold to remember the popular Towson student as the tears and tributes to Ncube were free-flowing.
"It's tough talking about him," said Nico, a childhood friend. "Words can't describe what I'm going through and how I'm feeling. How much I miss my best friend."
Classmates and friends say the vibrant energy Ncube had is missing on campus this week after his death.
"He was the man in the room. Everyone noticed him. His spirit was always, always positive," said Delanie Ridgely, a Towson University student.
Ncube transferred to Towson last year but quickly made friends. Among them, his fraternity brothers.
"I would never forget you Mzi," said one of Ncube's fraternity brothers. "I would forever cherish our memories together and you were more than just a friend to me, but a brother."
His impact was widespread.
"When I didn't believe in myself, Mzi believed in me," said a friend of Ncube. "He would push me every day to be a better person and I can say a hundred percent hat I am a better person because of Mzi."
Ncube's family was also on campus that night. His father said his son may have been meek and calm but he was certainly able to draw a lot of friends.
"He was so happy," said Ncube's sister, fighting back tears. "and this community that you guys created here for him is part of that, and so we thank you all so much for that, for making him happy in his time here. I hope that we all grow from this experience. We're not angry at anybody for this experience."
A service for Ncube will be held sometime next week.
Baltimore County police said the junior accounting major was crossing North Charles Street south of Ruxton Ridge Road whena truck hit him and sped away, leaving Ncube in the road, where he was hit again by a car.
That driver did stop, and called 911. But it was too late.
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"Just the sole fact that he could get hit once, you do nothing. He gets hit twice. All I kept thinking in my mind was what was going on in his last few seconds of life," said Zolani Ncube, his sister.
72-hours later, his four older sisters, parents and police are pleading for anyone with information to call officers, as they continue to hunt for the truck involved.
"We need help from the public, missing its driver side mirror piece," said Officer Jennifer Peach, with Baltimore County Police.
The ongoing investigation has left grieving friends and family searching for answers about Ncube's last moments, as classmates and even near strangers, rally on campus to remember the charismatic college student.
"It just gives us a sense of community and allows everyone to know if anything happens to him, we have all their backs and everything," said John Gonzalez, another student.
If anyone has any information about the driver or truck involved, Baltimore County Police would like to hear from them immediately.
