Watch CBS News

First Day On Campus For Colorado State University Student TJ Avery Ends In Tragedy

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) – A 19-year-old freshman at Colorado State University was struck by a vehicle while walking on campus on Monday night and his family says they are devastated by the tragedy. TJ Avery was struck at the intersection of West Pitkin and Ellis Drive, an interchange outside of his dormitory.

Colorado State University in Fort Collins sign
Colorado State University in Fort Collins (credit: CBS)

Avery was attending his first day of classes. An email sent to residents of Summit Hall stated that Avery had died, but his family said in a statement on Wednesday that they were "working closely with Donor Alliance in the hopes that our son can become an organ donor to help other patients in need."

According to the email, Avery was enrolled in the Army ROTC program on campus.

csu fatal
(credit: Matt Tackett, The Rocky Mountain Collegian)

"It is incredibly hard to lose a member of the Ram community. Whether or not you knew TJ, I know this news is difficult to hear," a CSU employee wrote in an email to students. "We share our condolences with our ROTC community as well."

Colorado State University was offering counseling services to students impacted by the sudden loss of their peer.

It was not made clear, in the email, who was at fault in the auto-pedestrian collision.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.