SMU grads killed in White Rock Lake crash remembered at local theater

Friends and family members filled the Greer Garson Theatre on Saturday night to remember two recent Southern Methodist University graduates. Julian Harris and Madison Duren, both 22, were killed in a car crash near White Rock Lake. The group chose the venue because the young adults worked in the performing arts. Moore White, a friend of the pair, explained the decision to hold the event in a performance space. White said, "I feel like it was so obvious that it needed to be in a theater, like give them one last show."

The accident occurred on October 6, which was about three weeks ago. Harris was driving their vehicle, and Duren was in the passenger seat. They were leaving an apartment near White Rock Lake when the crash happened. Police reports state that Harris was turning left from Knob Oak Drive onto Garland Road. Another driver struck their car during the turn. A third vehicle involved in the incident left the scene before officers arrived.

Police initially did not file charges but later arrested 22-year-old Aldrea Rogers. An affidavit from the police indicates that Rogers was traveling at 82 miles per hour. The speed limit on the road was 35 miles per hour. Rogers was driving with two children in the car, and all three survived the collision. Harris died at the scene of the crash. Duren was transported to a hospital, where she later died. Rogers has been charged with two counts of manslaughter.

Rogers is currently held at the Dallas County Jail. A judge has set her bond at 500,000 dollars. Harper Caroline Lee, another friend of the graduates, described the two as kind and talented people. Lee noted that while talent helps in the arts industry, kindness is what keeps people connected. Lee said, "And they were just beautiful people, talented, of course, but so kind. And in this business, talent will get you places, but kindness will keep you in the room."

The memorial included both tears and laughter as friends shared memories of the two artists. Lee, who is currently acting in a show that Duren had been in when she died, spoke about the impact of the loss. The company postponed the opening of that show and then opened it in Duren's honor. Lee said, "In a better world, she would have been backstage with me praying over the show opening night, and Julian would have been in the audience."

White described the pair as unstoppable. The friends at the gathering focused on how Harris and Duren made others feel rather than just how they died. Lee expressed a hope to see them again in the future. She told the crowd, "I truly believe that we will all see each other one day, but I'll miss them until then."