State police investigate VCU student death as apparent suicide

Fletcher Babb

News Editor

Virginia State Police say the death of 22-year-old VCU senior Allison Jones on Interstate 95 early Tuesday is being investigated as an apparent suicide.

Jones, a creative advertising senior, was struck by a tractor-trailer after she stopped on the right shoulder of the northbound lanes just after 2 a.m, according to state police Sgt. Thomas Molnar. Jones was standing in the right lane of traffic when she was hit.

Police said the woman, who was from the Richmond area, died at the scene south of the Atlee-Elmont interchange just inside the Henrico County line.

Sgt. Molnar wouldn’t confirm Jones’ involvement in the state police’s investigation, saying, “I don’t confirm names in these situations, but you can put two and two together.”

He added, “You should be able to make the connection between the e-mail that was sent out by VCU and the release I sent out to the media regarding that case.”

In an e-mail sent to the Mass Communications faculty obtained by the Commonwealth Times, Jones was described as “a gifted writer, thoughtful colleague and dear friend to many here.”

Will Sims, an associate professor in creative advertising, wrote that “her poetry and art reflected a caring and pensive intellect.  Her curiosity and friendship were a constant presence for her friends.”

Bridget Camden, an assistant professor of advertising, wrote  that Jones was “extremely talented and full of creative insight and spirit.  Her work stood out because of its originality and conviction.”