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Related Items: Fatality latest in string of accidents

By Ruth Ingram
ringram@clintonnews.com
And Susan O’Bryan
sobryan@clintonnews.com

Special to The Clinton News Lina Song

Officials with MC’s International Studies program were able to reach the parents of Lina Song, 27, of China, and break that news that their daughter died shortly before 6 a.m. after suffering massive head trauma.

Clinton Police Chief Don Byington said Song was struck by a car about 9:24 p.m. as she walked on the white fog line of U.S. 80 in front of the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic, unexpected, loss of one of our own,” MC President Lee Royce said. “Our sympathy, support and prayers go out to the family and friends, the Mississippi College community and all affected by this heart-wrenching event.”

“She was walking on the white line on the side of the road eastbound when the driver of a vehicle stated that she walked out into the roadway in front of her,” Byington said.
“We were headed west on U.S. 80 in front of First United Methodist Church when we saw all the police cars,” said Michael Herndon of Clinton.

“Behind the first police car was a group of three young women, and one looked to be pretty hysterical. It appeared that the police officer was trying to console her.”

The car was driven by a 19-year-old Raymond woman, Byington said, and “she is, of course, very upset.” No charges are expected to be filed, he said.

Song “made contact with the right side hood of the vehicle, and her head made contact with the passenger side windshield,” Byington said.

She was thrown about 80 feet from the point of contact, Byington said. She was transported to Central Mississippi Medical Center, then to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, he said.

“Needless to say, we are heartbroken by this tragic death,” said Ron Howard, MC’s vice president for academic affairs. “She was a bright and shining light in the lives of many, both faculty and students.

“Our prayers and concerns go out to her family and close friends in this moment of profound grief and sadness, as the entire campus mourns her passing,” he said.

College officials are planning a prayer service at Provine Chapel. Details will be confirmed soon, said MC public relations director Tracey Harrison.

Song was a graduate student working on her master of health services administration degree, and in her second year at MC, Harrison said. She lived off-campus in an apartment. Song came to the United States from Shenyang, the capital city of Liaoning province in northeast China.

She’d previously received a bachelor of science degree in medical psychology from another institution, Harrison said.

The woman, who was alone, was not facing traffic as she walked, the chief said.
“If you are going to walk along a busy highway or any street, you should walk facing traffic, not with the traffic,” Byington said. “You should walk as far as possible from the side of the roadway as you can.” 

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She used to was my classmate in IEP course last year,and she was a very nice girl.When I got Joey's call this morning and he told me about this, I couldn't believe that.

When I was in Caf this noon,almost every Chinese student taking about this big bad news; I came to Art history class,and my professor also asked about this and said sorry to me.

No matter what is people thinking or doing,she won't come back anymore.Life is so delicate,as she just said to her roommate,"I'll go out and get some food,c u later!"And few minutes later,she was gone.

That's what I say on my spaces:Dream as if you will leave forever;Life as if you will die tomorrow.

There will be a funeral for her tomorrow,and we international students chorus will sing for her.