College Student, 21, Dies After Being Run Over by His Own Truck

George Whittenburg was remembered as 'disarmingly vulnerable yet courageous' after the freak incident in Athens, Georgia.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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George Whittenburg, a 21-year-old University of Georgia student, died after his parked Toyota Tundra 'began rolling in reverse, striking and rolling over him' in what authorities described as a freak incident. Whittenburg was about to head out to meet friends when the accident occurred.

Why it matters

The tragic incident has left the University of Georgia community and Whittenburg's loved ones mourning the loss of a young man remembered for his deep faith, courage, and selfless service to others.

The details

According to police, Whittenburg was standing outside the driver's side door of his parked truck when it began rolling backwards, hitting and running over him. The truck then collided with another vehicle and a tree before coming to a stop. Whittenburg died two days later in the hospital.

  • On January 28, 2026, the incident occurred in the early evening.
  • Whittenburg died on January 30, 2026, two days after the accident.

The players

George Whittenburg

A 21-year-old University of Georgia student who was remembered for his deep faith, courage, and selfless service to others.

Sigma Phi Epsilon

The fraternity that Whittenburg was a member of at the University of Georgia.

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What they’re saying

“He fulfilled his purpose. He mentored younger generations. He loved and cared for God's creation, because he loved to fly fish. But all that being said, he has touched all of our lives. I hope this is a wake up call for a lot of us all, from our hearts, to love one another, foster each other's friendships and more importantly, find your faith in God.”

— Wells Muller, President of Sigma Phi Epsilon (The Red & Black)

What’s next

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The takeaway

The tragic loss of George Whittenburg, a young man remembered for his deep faith and selfless service, has left the University of Georgia community grieving and reflecting on the importance of cherishing one another and finding strength in their faith.