JACKSONVILLE, NC — A recent Collins Hill graduate was one of two Marines killed Tuesday in an accident near Jacksonville, North Carolina.
According to the Marine Corps, Lance Corporal Jonathan Gierke from Lawrenceville and Private First Class Zachary Riffle from West Virginia died when their tactical vehicle rolled over near the intersection of Highway 201 and U.S. Highway 17 outside of Jacksonville.
Officials with Camp Lejeune said Wednesday that there were multiple deaths after a military vehicle crashed in Sneads Ferry.
— NewsChannel 12 (@wcti12) January 19, 2022
Read more: https://t.co/2cmC9s8wzT
Several Marines were also injured in the crash and transported to nearby hospitals.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Gierke was based in Camp Lejeune, N.C., and was part of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group. He began with the Marines in March 2021 and was assigned to Camp Lejeune after completing his boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina. He had received medals for National Defense and the Global War on Terrorism.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Doctor dies after being hit by random gunfire at Brookhaven apartment complex
- What’s shaking: Small 2.6 magnitude earthquake felt in parts of north Georgia
- ‘Wall-to-wall stretchers:’ Metro Atlanta hospitals paint dire picture of status during omicron surge
“My sincerest heartfelt condolences are extended to the family, friends, and colleagues of the Marines who lost their lives or were injured in Wednesday’s vehicle mishap,” said Brig. Gen. Forrest C. Poole III, commanding general of 2nd Marine Logistics Group. “Our commanders, chaplains, and medical providers are diligently supporting our Marines and Sailors during this time. We deeply appreciate all of the thoughtful community messages we have received over the past several days.”
Master Sergeant Jeremy Reneau was Gierke’s former ROTC instructor at Collins Hill High School, where he recently graduated. Reneau said Gierke was an award-winning star cadet.
“He wasn’t a kid just coming into the program to just hang out. He was extremely involved and he loved the program,” Reneau said.
Gierke’s parents told Channel 2′s Tom Jones the Marines have been by their home and are helping coordinate bringing their son’s body back home. Meanwhile, Reneu said students are planning a memorial for Gierke at the school.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) contributed information to this story.
©2022 Cox Media Group
