The deadliest wreck in the history of the Metrorail system in Washington, D.C., killed the parents of an Elon DPT alum. Services are scheduled for early next week, with a memorial fund established to honor their memories.
Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr., 62, and his wife Ann, 62, died June 22 when the train car in which they were traveling was rear-ended by another Metro train. The Wherley’s are the parents of Elizabeth (Betsy) Wherley Regan, a 2005 graduate of Elon University’s DPT program.
Nine people died in the crash. According to the Washington Post, as of June 26, federal investigators were looking at what role faulty rail technology may have played in the tragedy.
For more background on the wreck, access stories by the Post by clicking on the links to the right.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Ann and David Wherley Charitable Gift Fund. Money will be distributed in their names to the DC National Guard Family Support organization and the DC Youth Challenge organization, both of which David and Ann Wherley passionately supported.
Ann and David Wherley Charitable Gift Fund
c/o Lassus Wherley
1 Academy Street
New Providence, NJ 07974
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. at the District of Columbia Armory in Southeast DC on Monday, June 29. The internment service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30.
Click on the link to the right to access the D.C. National Guard page with more details on the Wherleys’ lives and the legacies they leave behind.