Driver Charged in Death of KSU Student

(Updated 11:15 a.m.)

Herve Hanyurwimfura, 21, of Roswell is charged with killing a 19-year-old passenger when he drove his gray 2005 Honda Accord off Interstate 575 and into a ravine by Chastain Road early Friday.

Cobb County police last Friday afternoon filed charges against Hanyurwimfura of first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, driving under the influence, speeding, failure to maintain his lane, driving through gore, no tag and no seat belt in the crash that killed Lawrence Ogunnowo of Lawrenceville shortly after 2 a.m.

Hanyurwimfura was drunk and speeding south on I-575, police say, when he lost control of the Accord, crossed through the gore, shot across the Exit 271 ramp to Chastain Road in Kennesaw and slammed into trees in the ravine.

Ogunnowo died at the scene, reported police spokesman Sgt. Dana Pierce.

Hanyurwimfura and two other passengers, Franklyn Isibor, 22, of Roswell and Thierry Damon Hart, 21, of Wilmington, NC, were taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

When Hanyurwimfura is released from the hospital, his next stop will be the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

The Cobb County Police Department's Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Unit is continuing to investigate and asks anyone with information to call 770-499-3987.

Ogunnowo, a sophomore finance student at , was actively involved in the Student Government Association, African American Student Alliance and other student organizations, said university officials in a statement Friday.

"The entire KSU community is devastated by the news of Lawrence’s passing. He was a bright student who was extremely active and well liked by his fellow students, faculty and staff," said Jerome Ratchford, vice president for student success.

Isibor is a current KSU student, and Hart was enrolled there in fall 2010. The driver was not a KSU student.

Students, faculty and staff who would like to speak with a grief counselor are encouraged to contact the Kennesaw State Counseling & Psychological Services Center at 770-423-6600.