Memorial Service for College Student Killed by Suspected DWI Driver

A South Jersey university student struck and killed by a suspected DWI driver will be memorialized tonight.

Rowan University senior Matthew Uhl, 22, was killed while walking on the Glassboro, N.J. campus early Friday, according to Glassboro Police.

Uhl, who was set to graduate next month, was walking with friends along State Street around 12:30 a.m. when he was hit. Police say the driver, Derrick Gilliam, had alcohol on his breath and they found an open bottle of vodka inside his car.

Uhl was rushed to the hospital, where he died of head injuries Friday afternoon.

Police took Gilliam, of Bridgeport, Conn., to the hospital for a mandatory blood test and then to Gloucester County Jail, where he was being held on $25,000 bail.

Investigators believe Gilliam had a passenger inside his vehicle, who left the scene before officers arrived. Anyone with information about that passenger should call Glassboro Police at 856-881-1500.

"It is such a tragedy whenever you lose anyone in these circumstances, but is seems to be even more painful when it is a young person with such promise and limitless potential. Matthew will be missed," said Rowan University president Dr. Houshmand.

Uhl, an active member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, was majoring in Entrepreneurship. He was from Little Egg Harbor Township, N.J.

His obituary read: "Matt loved life and was there to help anyone in need. He would light up a room with his big smile and big brown eyes."

A viewing will be held Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Wood Funeral Home in Tuckerton, N.J. His funeral is set for noon Friday at St. Theresa's in Little Egg Habor with burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

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