Ursinus student killed by car near campus

The pedestrian struck and killed on Main Street in Collegeville was a sophomore at Ursinus College, the school says.

The college on Friday identified the young woman as Michelle Buck, a Herndon, Va., native who was interested in studying neuroscience and philosophy.

The 19-year-old was struck about 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Main Street and Sixth Avenue in front of the Ursinus campus.

Buck had been walking east on the sidewalk along Main Street and stepped into the road within a crosswalk when she was hit by a Nissan Rogue that was also traveling east, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said.

Buck was pronounced dead at the scene. The male driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, authorities said.

Prosecutors said the driver, whose name was not released, gave a blood sample for testing for alcohol or controlled substances. The crash remains under investigation.

"It is tragic when we lose a member of the Ursinus family," President Brock Blomberg said in a message to the campus community. "Please join me in keeping her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. I encourage all of us to find comfort and support in one another during this trying time."

Buck was a dean's list student who played in the string ensemble, Ursinus said.

In the college's statement, Joel Bish, a psychology professor, described Buck as a student who was "quiet and unassuming, diligent and respectful" and hoped to pursue research in his lab.

Ursinus said counselors would be available to students Friday and throughout winter break, which begins next week.