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A Daily Egyptian journalist was killed in a four-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon on Illinois Route 127 south of Nashville.
Ryan Rendleman, a senior from Batavia studying journalism, was stopped for road construction when a tractor-trailer rear-ended his Honda Accord, according to a release from the Illinois State Police. The initial collision caused a four-vehicle pile-up: Rendleman's car and three semitrailers.
The accident was reported at 1:27 p.m., and Rendleman was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the release.
State police identified the driver of the semitrailer that struck Rendleman's car as Kevin Morrison of Beecher City.
No one else was injured in the accident. Police said charges are pending in the accident investigation.
Rendleman held positions as a photographer, reporter and copy editor during his term at the Daily Egyptian. Rendleman was scheduled to graduate in August and he recently accepted a summer internship as a photographer with the Southern Illinoisan.
Rendleman worked for the student newspaper from January 2006 to Tuesday afternoon, when he was traveling to O'Fallon on a photo assignment for the paper.
In his stint as a reporter, he painted the picture of wet plunges into dunk tanks, relayed the tale of a gruff cab driver turned lunch lady and shared the story of a janitor who jumped to save the life of a suffocating 17-month-old.
Rendleman shared a weekly "Professor Profiles" series every Wednesday during the spring 2007 semester, taking pride in his ability to translate the seemingly unscholarly yet inspirational elements of the lives of faculty and staff at the university.
In his voyage to the more visual side of the newsroom, he pushed himself to find the perfect visual moment, whether it was on his own assignments or while helping others with theirs as photo editor during the fall 2007 semester.
As one of the most veteran members of the newsroom, he supported younger staff with words of advice or a welcoming smile.
As a "visual journalist," as he would refer to his position, he combined his literary and photographic skills in several photo columns published on the Voices page. He shared his more personal viewpoints in this medium, often sharing his passion for Christianity.
Eric Fidler, faculty managing editor for the Daily Egyptian, said he couldn't recall the first time he met Rendleman - perhaps because it seemed Rendleman had always been a part of the newsroom.
"He was just so damn much fun to have around," Fidler said. "He had found his true calling (in photojournalism) ... and that was exciting to see."
Wendy Weinhold, a doctoral student who works as the writing coach for the Daily Egyptian, said she would remember Rendleman for thoughtful gestures such as leaving homemade Bob Dylan CDs on her desk or text messaging her to ask if he could break into her office and steal candy.
"Ryan was just so easy to like. He was the kind of person you wanted to see happy," Weinhold said, pausing. "And I just can't believe he's gone."
Photojournalism professor Phil Greer said he would remember Rendleman as the student who sat in the front row, continually asked questions and always challenged himself to do better.
"Ryan always looked at ... I think he looked at the world through clear eyes, unpolluted eyes," Greer said. "If you look at the world the way Ryan looked at it and you have the passion that Ryan had, you can change things in this world for the better."
Pablo Tobon, a freshman from Colombia studying cinema and photography, remembers Rendleman as the first person in the Daily Egyptian newsroom to remember his name. Rendleman extended extra effort to be friendly and help Tobon adjust to a new culture, he said.
"Everything he didn't mean to teach me, I learned. He wouldn't say, 'Hey, this is how you're nice or this is how you respect people or this is how you're patient or you're open-minded,' but I would learn that with him," Tobon said.
Greer said he believed Rendleman's influence on those around him would continue.
"I think that everyone who knew Ryan Rendleman is going to have a piece of Ryan Rendleman for as long as they live," Greer said.
Will Miller, one of Rendleman's roommates, said Rendleman was funny, personal and genuine. He loved to play guitar and listen to music, particularly Bob Dylan.
"He was a person who within five minutes could capture your heart," Miller said.
Miller said he met Rendleman two years ago at the Vine Community Church where they both worshipped.
Steve Dame, Rendleman's pastor at the church, said he watched Rendleman grow as a Christian over the past couple years.
"God changed him," Dame said.
Dame said he broke the news of Rendleman's death to a group of his fellow churchgoers during an event at the church Tuesday night. Members of the group were devastated, which Dame said was a reflection of Rendleman's attachment to his fellow Christians.
"People loved him," he said.
