Arizona crash kills student traveling home from freshman year at KU

A Kansas University student was killed in an auto accident on an Arizona highway while traveling home to California after finishing his freshman year at KU.

Nathaniel Naudet, 19, of Tujunga, Calif., had planned to earn degrees in engineering and business, according to his obituary from the Los Angeles Times. He died May 17.

The one-vehicle rollover accident occurred about 5:40 that morning on westbound Interstate 40 near Seligman, Ariz., according to a report from the Arizona Highway Patrol.

Naudet was killed at the scene, according to the patrol. He was wearing a seat belt.

The two other occupants in the vehicle survived, Naudet’s mother, who was driving, and Thomas Yoguez, of Woodland Hills, Calif., according to the patrol. Yoguez is also a KU student, according to the university directory.

Naudet played volleyball in high school, was an Eagle Scout and loved children and animals, according to his obituary.

At KU, he lived in K.K. Amini Scholarship Hall and was known for helping others.

“Nate had an infectious smile and a true desire to do good in the world that carried into everything he did,” Dawn Shew, a director of undergraduate studies with the School of Engineering who advised Naudet, said in a statement from KU. “His service to others was exemplary, and he was a valued, well-liked member of the School of Engineering community.” 

KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little offered condolences on behalf of the KU community.

“I want to express my profound sorrow at the death of Nathaniel Naudet,” she said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our thoughts are with his friends and family during this difficult time.”

Naudet is survived by his parents Charles and Beverly Naudet, three brothers, a sister, and grandparents Charles and Mary Louise Naudet of Kansas City, Mo., according to his obituary. A funeral was planned for Saturday in Tujunga.