Updated Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Campbell mourns loss of professor

From wire, contributed reports

A Campbell University professor and another motorist died in a head-on collision March 15 in Newton Grove.

Lewis Fetterman Jr., 57, an assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at Campbell, and his wife, Joni Fay Watts Fetterman, were traveling south on U.S. 701, about two miles from Newton Road, at 8 p.m., a highway patrol officer said.

The driver of the other car, Alejandro Rivas, 47, of Newton Grove, was driving north, and crossed the center line. Rivas' Ford Taurus hit the Fettermans' minivan head-on. Lewis of Clinton died of injuries sustained in the crash. A highway patrol officer said Joni Fay had some injuries but none were life threatening.

Both vehicles were traveling near the 55 mph speed limit, and it was raining moderately.

"It appeared that Mr. Fetterman tried to jerk his car hard to the right just seconds before he was struck," said Highway Patrol Sgt. Joel Siles.

That jerk may have saved his wife's life, Siles said. Roughly 90 percent of the impact was absorbed on the driver's side.

All three people were wearing seat belts, Siles said. He suspects Rivas may have been drinking.

A release from Campbell said "The Campbell University community is deeply saddened by the death of Dr. Lewis Fetterman Jr."

Thomas Holmes, associate dean for Academic Affairs for the School of Pharmacy, said Fetterman was a dedicated teacher and very involved in his community.

"He challenged his students in a way that builds character, as well as technical skills," Holmes said.

A graduate of Washington & Lee University, Fetterman received a master's degree and a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Purdue University.

He was a volunteer with the local Boy Scouts of America and supporter of Clinton High School Band and Athletic booster clubs. He was a member of Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church of Clinton.

He is survived by his wife Joni Fay Watts Fetterman; a son, Lewis M. "Trey" Fetterman III; a daughter, Charlotte Fetterman; and by his parents Annabelle Lundy Fetterman and Lewis M. Fetterman Sr.

Visitation for Dr. Fetterman will be held Wednesday, March 19, from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at Crumpler & Honeycutt Funeral Home, 118 Fayetteville Street in Clinton. The funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, March 20, at 2 p.m. at Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church, 201 Fayetteville Street in Clinton.