A fatal crash occurred on the campus of Rockhurst University on Feb. 13, at 2:40 p.m., leaving one man dead and destroying a student’s vehicle, prompting an outpouring of support from the campus community.

According to the Kansas City Police Department, a white Nissan Murano was traveling

southbound on Virginia Avenue at a high speed when it failed to stop at the intersection of Rockhurst Road. The vehicle then struck a parked Jeep Wrangler along the south curb in front of Corcoran Hall, continued over the curb and up a grassy hill, rolled and then collided with the building.

The driver, later identified as 34-year-old Sterling Roaf, was transported to Research Medical Center with life-threatening injuries and later pronounced dead. He was the only person in the vehicle.

In a Rockhurst campus safety notice issued later that day, university officials confirmed that no students, faculty or staff were physically injured and extended prayers to Roaf’s family.

Roaf, known to many as “Coach Roaf,” was a dedicated mentor and role model in the Kansas City community. He worked closely with teens, particularly through basketball. As a youth mentor at Steppingstones Children’s Home, Roaf invested time and energy into the young people he served, leaving a lasting impact on lives both on and off the court.

While the community mourned his loss, the crash also left a student dealing with the destruction of her vehicle. The destroyed Jeep belonged to Emilia Jenkins, who was at lacrosse practice when she received a call from her resident assistant.

“I really just thought I had gotten sideswiped or something minor,” Jenkins said. “Until I got out to the front of the building and saw my car in pieces. I was in complete shock.”

Because the other driver was uninsured, Jenkins said she expects to receive little compensation after meeting her deductible. She must also cover towing and storage fees while the vehicle is held as part of the investigation, and her insurance rates are expected to increase. As a 19-year-old college student who pays for her own schooling, the unexpected expense has created significant financial strain.

Jenkins’s friend, Gabriella Ciavattone, created a GoFundMe on her behalf shortly after the crash. Jenkins said she was unaware the page had been created until the evening of Feb. 13.

“There are names on the donation page that I don’t even know who they are, and yet they were so kind to give,” Jenkins said. “I can’t even describe how grateful I am.”

While the campus continues to process the tragedy, Jenkins emphasized both the loss of her vehicle and the gravity of the life lost.

“It’s difficult to lose my car in this way,” she said. “It’s even more traumatic to know that somebody lost their life in this event.”