HARDY COUNTY, W.Va. (WHSV) - Campbell Fortune, the driver in a fatal 2023 car crash that killed three fellow James Madison University students — John “Luke” Fergusson, Joshua Mardis and Nicholas Troutman — was sentenced in Hardy Circuit Court on Tuesday afternoon.

After pleading no contest in March, Fortune was convicted on two misdemeanors, one count each of negligent homicide and speeding. For the negligent homicide charge, Fortune was sentenced Tuesday to 90 days in prison and must serve seven years of supervised probation. Six months of his sentence were suspended. If Fortune violates his probation, he must serve an additional 90 days in prison.

Fortune, who is from Henrico County, Virginia, was originally charged with three counts of negligent homicide and one count each of underage possession of alcohol, reckless driving, driving without proof of insurance and speeding. All charges were dismissed except for the one count each of negligent homicide and speeding. With this sentencing the families of the three victims said in a statement outside of the court house to WHSV that they were happy to see justice be served.

“The court sentence is the first small measure of justice our families have received in West Virginia since the horrible night we lost our sons. We opposed the plea deal from the beginning, and nothing that happened today would end our suffering or help make sense of our terrible losses. We are grateful to the court for listening to our families, considering the evidence and imposing a fair and thoughtful sentence,” John Fergusson, father of Luke Fergusson said.

The families and friends of the three victims attended the sentencing Tuesday. The Fergusson, Mardis and Troutman families have also each filed wrongful death lawsuits against the JMU chapter of Pi Beta Chi, also known as PBX, citing hazing and drug use as the causes of the car wreck. All four students, including Fortune, were either potential or current members of PBX, which is not formally recognized by JMU.

This is a breaking news update. Check back later for more details, including a statement from the victims’ families.

Campbell Fortune was sentenced in Hardy County Circuit Court on Tuesday for his role as the driver in a fatal 2023 car crash that killed three JMU students.