“I want to thank you guys for being great friends and for bringing so much laughter and happiness into my life,” said Elizabeth Leung, a second-year in accounting and vice president of the Hong Kong Student Association, as she spoke one last time to her late friends. “I will always remember our conversations, the lessons you guys taught me and the happy memories we had together.”These words formulate the goodbye Leung never had the chance to say to her close friends, Ka-Hei “Ricky” Fok and Ho Kai Jeffrey Au Yeung. The two international Ohio State students from Hong Kong died last week in a car accident in Clinton Township, N.J. Three other international OSU students were involved in the accident; all survived the crash.

In response to the accident, the HKSA is raising money to help the victims’ families cover the cost of airfare and funeral expenses. A donation table will be set up at Schoenbaum Hall Wednesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They also plan to accept donations at the Winter Involvement Fair Thursday and at Taste of OSU Jan. 27.
Two OSU students died following a car accidentin Clinton Township, N.J. on Jan. 2, 2012. Five students total were in the rental car as thestudents were on their way back to campus.The three other victims were transported tonearby hospitals.

Tim Wynkoop / Express-Times

The association also plans to open a bank account under the name of HKSA for anyone who wants to donate funds but cannot make it to the donation tables.

One of the victims, 21-year-old Fok, was a psychology major and served as the president of HKSA last year.

“There was never a dull moment with Ricky. He always made you laugh and have fun,” Leung said. “He was an easy-going guy and everybody liked him. He was supposed to graduate in March.”

M.K. Wong, a third-year in finance and treasurer of HKSA, said he considered Fok his best friend.

“He helped me a lot when I first came [to OSU] this summer,” Wong said. “He took me to dinner and helped me get groceries. He introduced me to life here and helped me adapt.”

Au Yeung, a 20-year-old transfer student in accounting, only attended OSU for one quarter prior to the accident. He joined HKSA after he started school in the fall, Leung said.

“Au Yeung was one of my best friends,” Leung said. “I instantly became good friends with him when I first met him. He always encouraged me to do better in school and never give up on my dreams. I don’t think I will ever find another friend as special as Au Yeung.”

HKSA plans to help the families cover all the expenses necessary in flying from Hong Kong to the United States and any other funeral costs.

Wong said the initial feeling of disbelief has now been taken over by a desire to help the families.

“I couldn’t believe it at first,” Wong said. “But all we can do now is help their families by raising this money in memory of the students.”

Wong said the association hopes to raise additional funds with the help of students, student organizations and off-campus organizations, such as businesses and churches.

“I would like to say that on behalf of HKSA, we will never forget about the memories we had with Fok and Au-Yeung,” Leung said. “They will always be remembered in our hearts. They passed away too soon.”

There have been no further updates to the investigation of the car crash, said N.J. State Trooper Christopher Kay.