(The Hilltop) — Mohamed Samura, a Howard University freshman computer information systems major from Fredericksburg, Virginia, died early Monday morning after being struck by a car last week in front of Cook Hall, according to the university and a family member.
Samura, 18, was hit by a faculty member driving a car at a high rate of speed on the 2700 block of 6th Street NW on April 11, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The student was admitted to the Howard University Hospital (HUH) shortly thereafter with serious injuries, MPD said.
According to an MPD press release, the faculty member’s car struck a parked vehicle and “failed to negotiate the left turn onto Fairmont Street,” which resulted in the car mounting a curb and hitting Samura. The faculty member was also transported to HUH for minor injuries.
MPD detectives are still investigating the traffic crash that resulted in Samura’s death. Hawa Senesie, Samura’s cousin, said she was first notified of the incident Thursday evening by Samura’s parents. Senesie said Samura was rushed to the Howard University Hospital emergency room with a broken leg and underwent multiple surgeries.
“The media literally portrayed it as, it was just a hit, that both of the victims were in the hospital recovering because it said minor injuries,” she said. “There were no minor injuries.”
Senesie said that the information disclosed about the accident by the university did not accurately represent the circumstances of Samura’s injuries.
The Howard University Office of Communications declined to comment on the details of Samura’s hospitalization or the status of his injuries after he arrived at the hospital.
When describing her cousin, Senesie said he was “an angel.” “Mohamed was literally a gentleman. He was a straight-A student,” Senesie said. “He literally lights up a room.”
In a statement to the Howard University community, President Ben Vinson III said, “I extend our profound condolences and prayers to his family, friends, classmates, and instructors, during this difficult time. May they find solace in the cherished moments shared with Mohamed.”
In a combined HUSA and Undergraduate Student Assembly statement to The Hilltop, the organizations said that they would “defer distribution of Springfest tickets until further notice” for the Friday afternoon concert out of respect for the student’s death.
“This decision reflects our commitment to honoring the memory of our fellow Bison during this period of reflection and remembrance,” the statement continued.
Samura was a member of Howard’s Esports team and a School of Business Dean’s list recipient. At 6 p.m. Monday on the Yard, students, faculty, and administrators came together to pay homage to Samura.
A member of Samura’s family created a GoFundMe with a fundraising goal of $15,000 in his name to support the “homegoing cost.”
“Mo’s smile will never be forgotten and we will keep his name alive forever. He was loved by us all and our hearts are filled with the sweet memories he left behind,” the page says. “Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we remember our baby boy, Mo.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Samura’s family and the Howard community during this time.
