Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Sylvestre Kibara was killed Friday in a pedestrian accident on U.S. 70. Kibara came to the school in the fall and was part of the cross country and track and field programs.
PORTALES - A cross country runner for Eastern New Mexico University was the pedestrian killed Friday afternoon in an accident on U.S. 70, university officials confirmed.
Sylvestre Kibara, 28, transferred to ENMU last fall following a semester at the University of North Dakota, University Chancellor Patrice Caldwell told The News Monday.
A memorial has not been finalized, as the university is waiting for fellow students and teammates to return to campus after the holiday break.
"The loss of every student is tragic," Caldwell told The News. "We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, teammates, coaches, faculty and friends."
Kibara, a communication major with an emphasis in journalism, previously attended Hutchinson Community College and finished seventh in the 2019 NJCAA Division I championship. He competed in five meets for the Greyhounds, and qualified for the Division II South Central Regional championship.
New Mexico State Police said last week the pedestrian was struck while crossing U.S. 70 at West University Drive near the campus.
Investigators determined the victim was not crossing in a designated crosswalk at the time of the accident. He was fatally struck by a southbound 2000 Ford pickup driven by a 72-year-old male.
