NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) – Former Southern Connecticut State University President Michael J. Adanti was killed early Sunday in a car crash in Italy, the university confirmed.

Adanti, who retired in June 2003 after serving 19 years as president, and Ansonia lawyer William Tuccio were both killed as they and their wives were traveling from their hotel to the airport at the end of a vacation on the island of Sardinia, said Patrick Dilger, the university’s director of public affairs.

Linda Adanti and Marge Tuccio were both hospitalized. Their conditions were not available.

“Our university feels great sadness at the loss of an individual whose leadership and vision transformed the institution and touched the lives of thousands of students,” said SCSU President Cheryl J. Norton.

“Michael’s service to Southern over so many years as a student, a teacher, an administrator and a president left tremendous legacy of accomplishment,” she said.

The university is planning an on-campus memorial to Adanti in the near future, Norton said.

Details of the accident were not immediately available.

AP-ES-07-31-05 1903EDT