UCR Student Memorialized in Candlelight Vigil

A candlelight vigil was held at the UC Riverside Bell Tower Thursday night, Sept. 3 to honor Jonathan Chavez, a third year business administration major who was killed in a major car accident in Victorville earlier this week, along with his best friend, Matt Potts. Both Victorville men were 22. Three other people were injured in the crash. Chavez, a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, was a well-liked student who worked as a Dining Services manager in the Highlander Union Building during the school year. According to James Sandoval, UCR’s Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, "The outpouring of support, grief, and concern we have received since the tragic news of Jonathan’s death was released has been phenomenal. It is evident that we have lost a very special young man and beloved member of our campus community.” His family and fraternity brothers have invited friends to help them remember his generosity and spirit. The president of the fraternity, David Hebron said this about Chavez, “Jonathan was a balanced gentleman in every respect. His genuine personality and and dedication to philanthropy resonated with everyone he met. His relationship with his mother and sister inspires me to be a better man towards my family. It was my special honor and privilege to call him a brother and a friend. He will be always loved, never forgotten, and sorely missed.” A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family: http://www.gofundme.com/jonathanchavez