According to Kentucky State Police Public Affairs Officer Don Trosper, Thomas May and Bradley Hall were fatally injured as a result of the accident just south of Berea.

The students were traveling back to Lexington after a Baptist Campus Ministry retreat in Laurel Lake, Ky. Trosper said May was driving a 2001 Ford Taurus when it crossed the median and struck a tractor trailer in oncoming traffic. The accident, which is still under investigation, occurred at 1:37 p.m., he said.

Ben Cooley, and 18-year-old freshman from Harrodsburg and passenger in the Ford Taurus, was injured and transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for treatment. The truck driver, James A. Donaldson, 51, of Oregon, Ohio, was taken to Rockcastle County Hospital as a precaution. He was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.

May, a 20-year-old junior from Louisville, had been an active member of the University of Kentucky’s Baptist Campus Ministry for three years, according to Daniel Berry, campus minister.

Hall, an 18-year-old freshman from Rockfield, Ky., was new to campus and new to BCM, but not new to ministry. He was active in Kentucky Changers, a week-long summer missions camp where students repair homes for low-income people. He participated in Kentucky Changers for the last four or five years, according to Joe Ball, youth ministry associate for the Kentucky Baptist Convention and a veteran Kentucky Changers leader.

More than 100 students gathered at the University of Kentucky Baptist Campus Ministry center Sunday night as news of the tragedy spread. Students hugged, prayed, shared stories and talked with counselors.

“We are all saddened by the tragic loss of these fine young men and the injuries sustained by the third. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and fellow Baptist Campus Ministry students,” said KBC Executive Director Bill Mackey. “Difficult days are ahead for all of those connected to these students. As we mourn, we also reflect on how thankful we are to have had these young men as part of our campus ministry.”

A memorial service for May and Hall will be held Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m., at Calvary Baptist Church in Lexington.  Doors will open for the memorial service at 7:00 p.m.

Visitation for Bradley Hall will be Nov. 11th from 4 – 8 p.m. and Nov. 12th from 1 – 8 p.m. local time at the J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel in Bowling Green. Visitation will also be held Nov. 13th at 9 a.m. at Clear Fork Baptist Church, Rockfield with the funeral to follow at 11 a.m.

Visitation for Thomas May is 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at J. E. Ratterman & Son, 7336 Southside Drive, Louisville. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Kenwood Heights Christian Church, 5610 New Cut Road, Louisville, followed by burial in Resthaven Memorial Park.