The University of Pikeville community is mourning the sudden and heartbreaking loss of 19-year-old Luke Pierce, a student and member of the UPike Bears bass fishing team, who was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Powell County, Kentucky, on Tuesday evening.
According to the Kentucky State Police, a preliminary investigation reveals that Luke Pierce of Mount Sterling was driving northbound on Morris Creek Road when he lost control of his vehicle, causing it to leave the roadway, go over an embankment, and hit a tree. Pierce was pronounced dead at the scene by Powell County Coroner Megan Wells-Curtis.
The coroner indicated the crash was weather-related, as the car hydroplaned before going over the embankment.
The Stanton Fire Department reported that the road was closed for several hours due to the collision, but was reopened by 10:30 p.m. The crash remains under investigation by the Kentucky State Police.
University of Pikeville Athletics confirmed the loss in a post shared across social media, stating that UPike and its athletics program mourn the passing of Luke Pierce, a beloved member of the bass fishing team and campus community.
The announcement drew an outpouring of grief from teammates, classmates, coaches, and community members who described Pierce as a good friend and a young man who touched the lives of everyone around him.
One family member, identified in comments as Kelly, received direct condolences from those who knew the family personally. A friend who shared the news wrote that though she did not know Luke personally, seeing his age made her heart break, adding that he had so much life left to live and so much still to achieve.
Teammates and friends flooded social media with tributes. One commenter who described himself as a close friend wrote that Luke was a good friend to him and to many others, saying he was praying for the family through what he called a terrible loss.
Another community member offered a touching farewell, expressing hope that fishing in heaven would be the best for the young angler who clearly loved his sport.
Bass fishing was added to UPike Athletics starting in the Fall 2024 semester, becoming the first new addition to the athletics department since co-ed archery launched in Fall 2017.
Luke Pierce was listed on the program’s 2025-2026 roster as a junior who came to Pikeville from Bryson City, North Carolina, where he previously attended Christ School. His passion for competitive fishing had become a defining part of his time on campus.
The loss has been deeply felt not only by those who knew Luke personally but by an entire community that rallied around his family with prayers, words of comfort, and shared memories.
Over 100 comments poured in on the community post, with people from across the region expressing grief and solidarity with those who loved him.
Luke Pierce was 19 years old. He is remembered by his family, his teammates, his coaches, and a wide circle of friends as a young man with a bright future ahead of him.
The University of Pikeville has asked the community to keep his family and loved ones in their thoughts as they navigate the difficult days ahead.
The investigation by the Kentucky State Police is ongoing. No further details have been released at this time.
