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Boston U. holds vigil for students in New Zealand van crash

Boston University students including Tori Pinheiro, third right, of New Bedford, Mass., and Austin Brashears' girlfriend, holds a candlelight vigil on Marsh Plaza at Boston University, Saturday, May 12, in Boston, for three students studying in New Zealand who were killed when their minivan crashed during a weekend trip. Daniela Lekhno, 20, of Manalapan, N.J.; Austin Brashears, 21, of Huntington Beach, Calif.; and Roch Jauberty, 21, whose parents live in Paris, were killed as they traveled in a minivan Saturday near the North Island vacation town of Taupo when the vehicle drifted to the side of the road and then rolled when the driver tried to correct course.
Boston University students including Tori Pinheiro, third right, of New Bedford, Mass., and Austin Brashears' girlfriend, holds a candlelight vigil on Marsh Plaza at Boston University, Saturday, May 12, in Boston, for three students studying in New Zealand who were killed when their minivan crashed during a weekend trip. Daniela Lekhno, 20, of Manalapan, N.J.; Austin Brashears, 21, of Huntington Beach, Calif.; and Roch Jauberty, 21, whose parents live in Paris, were killed as they traveled in a minivan Saturday near the North Island vacation town of Taupo when the vehicle drifted to the side of the road and then rolled when the driver tried to correct course.Bizuayehu Tesfaye / AP
By PhotoBlog

Boston University student Blake Wrobbel, of Los Angeles, right, gets emotional during the vigil.
Boston University student Blake Wrobbel, of Los Angeles, right, gets emotional during the vigil.Bizuayehu Tesfaye / AP

Brashears' mother, Julie, told The Boston Globe that he frequently posted new photos on Facebook documenting his adventures in New Zealand, including bungee-jumping off the Auckland Harbor Bridge on his birthday. She said he planned weekend outings for the study abroad group.

"Everyone called him the cruise director," she said. "He wanted to include everybody on the trips. He loved having an eclectic group of friends."

-- Reported by the Associated Press

Read the full story.

Police and fire crew examine the scene of the accident near Turangi, New Zealand, Saturday, May 12.
Police and fire crew examine the scene of the accident near Turangi, New Zealand, Saturday, May 12.John Cowpland / New Zealand Herald via AP

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