The Daily Gamecock

PHOTOS: USC students mourn loss of third-year Nate Baker after fatal hit-and-run

USC students, faculty and Columbia residents put together a memorial in honor of third-year business student Nathaniel "Nate" Baker, who was killed in a hit-and-run at the intersection of Assembly and Blossom streets in front of the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center on April 2.

An array of flowers sits outside the sign leading into Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center in honor of Nathaniel "Nate" Baker on April 3, 2025. Baker was the victim of a hit-and-run at the intersection on April 2.
An array of flowers sits outside the sign leading into Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center in honor of Nathaniel "Nate" Baker on April 3, 2025. Baker was the victim of a hit-and-run at the intersection on April 2.
A group of students stand at the intersection of Assembly and Blossom streets to leave flowers at the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker on April 3, 2025. Baker was a third-year business student who was struck and killed by a pickup truck the previous day.
A group of students stand at the intersection of Assembly and Blossom streets to leave flowers at the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker on April 3, 2025. Baker was a third-year business student who was struck and killed by a pickup truck the previous day.
Two students hug outside the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker at Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center on April 3, 2025. Dozens of students showed up to the memorial in honor of Baker, who was the victim of a hit-and-run at the intersection of Assembly and Blossom streets.
Two students hug outside the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker at Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center on April 3, 2025. Dozens of students showed up to the memorial in honor of Baker, who was the victim of a hit-and-run at the intersection of Assembly and Blossom streets.
A teddy bear wearing a USC shirt sits in front of a line of flowers at a memorial honoring Nathaniel "Nate" Baker at Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center on April 3, 2025. Students and faculty left flowers and other memorabilia in memory of Baker who died the previous day.
A teddy bear wearing a USC shirt sits in front of a line of flowers at a memorial honoring Nathaniel "Nate" Baker at Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center on April 3, 2025. Students and faculty left flowers and other memorabilia in memory of Baker who died the previous day.
Students gather around a memorial in honor of Nathaniel "Nate" Baker on April 3, 2025. Friends, students and Columbia residents all came to leave flowers and other memorabilia in Baker's memory.
Students gather around a memorial in honor of Nathaniel "Nate" Baker on April 3, 2025. Friends, students and Columbia residents all came to leave flowers and other memorabilia in Baker's memory.
Various chalk messages populate the sidewalk outside the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker on April 3, 2025. Students left messages and flowers at the site in memory of Baker, who was killed in a hit-and-run the previous day outside Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center.
Various chalk messages populate the sidewalk outside the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker on April 3, 2025. Students left messages and flowers at the site in memory of Baker, who was killed in a hit-and-run the previous day outside Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center.
A student places a cross at the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker outside Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center on April 3, 2025. The previous day, Baker was the victim of a hit-and-run while riding his motorcycle at the intersection of Assembly and Blossom streets.
A student places a cross at the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker outside Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center on April 3, 2025. The previous day, Baker was the victim of a hit-and-run while riding his motorcycle at the intersection of Assembly and Blossom streets.
A student stands outside the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker outside Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center on April 3, 2025. Dozens of students left flowers in honor of Baker, who was struck and killed the previous day by an oncoming truck the previous day.
A student stands outside the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker outside Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center on April 3, 2025. Dozens of students left flowers in honor of Baker, who was struck and killed the previous day by an oncoming truck the previous day.
Two students place flowers at the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker outside Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center on April 3, 2025. Various student and faculty left flowers and other gifts in memory of Baker.
Two students place flowers at the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker outside Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center on April 3, 2025. Various student and faculty left flowers and other gifts in memory of Baker.
A piece of chalk lies on the ground outside the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker on April 3, 2025. Students left messages and flowers in memory of Baker, who was killed in a hit-and-run the previous day.
A piece of chalk lies on the ground outside the memorial for Nathaniel "Nate" Baker on April 3, 2025. Students left messages and flowers in memory of Baker, who was killed in a hit-and-run the previous day.