WEATHERSFIELD — A 22-year-old South Royalton School graduate who was killed on Interstate 91 over the weekend was a senior in the Corps of Cadets at Norwich University, a member of the Vermont National Guard and had plans to commission into the Army next year, his family said on Monday.
Keanan Thompson’s life was cut short early Sunday morning when he lost control of his Jeep Wrangler on I-91 in Weathersfield around 12:50 a.m. and crashed. Thompson, who grew up in Stockbridge, Vt., was ejected from the vehicle and landed in the roadway, where he was struck by a passing motorist who failed to stop. He was pronounced dead on scene, and the crash remains under investigation.
His mother, Melissa Thompson, said her son had been hanging out with friends following his shift on Antique Hill at the Tunbridge World’s Fair on Saturday and was likely headed to her house in Perkinsville at the time of the crash. He wasn’t working with the corps, but instead spent the day churning ice cream with others, something he had done for years.
“He was respected by his peers, loved by everybody,” Thompson said Monday. “He didn’t offend anyone. He was quiet and he was unassuming. He had a wonderful heart and he was very giving.”
Keanan Thompson was engaged to be married to Madison Eline, a fellow cadet at Norwich University.
“He was a really amazing leader and everyone looked to him for advice, even I did,” Eline said. “He was always looking out for everybody.”
In addition to becoming an infantry officer, Thompson had hoped to work in law enforcement as a state trooper or a game warden, Eline said.
Thompson, a 2015 South Royalton High graduate, was an accomplished three-sport athlete who loved to be outdoors. He also was a wonderful cook, his mother said.
He enjoyed fishing and he took hunting seriously; No part of the animal went to waste. When he was forced to kill a coyote, he and Eline banded together and paid to get the pelt preserved.
“That’s just who he was,” she said.
Several questions about the crash still remain, including who the driver was that hit Thompson, and why Thompson left Tunbridge and headed to Perkinsville. Usually he tells his mother if he is on his way home. He didn’t, she said.
Vermont State Police Spokesman Adam Silverman said on Monday troopers are still investigating the crash and are trying to locate the person who struck Thompson. Police believe that individual was driving a gray sedan with Vermont plates.
Both Thompson and Eline said they hope that person comes forward.
The Thompson family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with his funeral expenses; the fundraiser nearly doubled its $7,000 goal in 20 hours.
Thompson’s death marks the second tragedy for the family this summer. Thompson’s only brother, Christian Thompson, died an accidental death on July 17, his mother said. He was 26 years old.
On Tuesday night at 10 p.m., the Norwich University Corps of Cadets will conduct an Echo Taps ceremony, which is “meant to emulate a military memorial service,” according to a post on the university’s Facebook page.
Thompson, who was a dean’s list student, was majoring in criminal justice.
“The Norwich family’s thoughts and prayers are with Keanan’s family, friends and community,” the university wrote.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call State Police at 802-722-4600.
Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.