One thing Joel McCrea remembers about Austin Wonderlich, a 23-year-old senior who died Thursday night, was his faith.

McCrea was a family friend and confirmation sponsor to Wonderlich.

“I was struck by the fact that here’s an eighth grade boy who actually is more biblically literate than I was as an adult,” McCrea said. “I was very impressed with his intelligence and his walk with faith.”

McCrea’s son, Jay, senior in management, was also friends with Wonderlich growing up, and the two roomed together at Iowa State this semester. McCrea stated that Jay and Wonderlich attended the football game together on Thursday evening.

An hour after the game, Wonderlich was hit by a vehicle driven by Daniel Strait, junior in criminal justice, just west of University Boulevard on U.S. Highway 30.

Wonderlich was fatally injured in the accident.

McCrea said that the biggest goal for Wonderlich’s family and friends now will be honoring his memory and his faith.

“After the shock of the tragedy, when you get by that, my hope is that we can remember all the great times we had with Austin,” McCrea said. “It’s just tragic.”

McCrea remembers Wonderlich as “a very thoughtful, caring, considerate young man” who was also an avid outdoorsman and athlete.

“The guy was amazing with a slingshot,” McCrea said. “You couldn’t believe how accurate he was with a slingshot.”

Wonderlich, senior in agricultural studies, was deciding what career path to take within the industry, McCrea said.

“His family has been active farmers in southeast Iowa, so he always had affections for farm life,” McCrea said. “I think he just wanted to be involved in the agricultural industry in any position.”

Wonderlich’s family did not yet wish to comment.