Wake Forest Basketball Coach Punched Tourist In NYC Who Later Died, Cops Say

The man who fatally punched a New York City tourist after mistaking him for an Uber driver over the weekend was Wake Forest assistant basketball coach Jamill Jones, authorities say.

Early Sunday morning, Sandor Szabo, 35, of Boca Raton, Florida was punched in Long Island City, Queens. The force was so strong Szabo dropped to the pavement, where he hit his head and lost consciousness, police said in a press release obtained by Oxygen.com.

Szabo was taken to a local hospital for treatment, where he died on Tuesday according to Gothamist.com, a local news website in New York City. Szabo was in town for a wedding and called an Uber. He was reportedly knocking on several cars looking for his ride. Then, he knocked on the window of a white SUV. That driver, now identified as Jones, 35, allegedly responded to the knocking by assaulting the tourist. Jones then allegedly fled the scene after the punch, prompting police to release footage of the attack and ask the public for help identifying Szabo’s assailant. Jones, who lives in Kernersville, North Carolina, surrendered on Thursday morning in Queens. He has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge and released on his own recognizance, according to the Associated Press.

A medical examiner’s findings could upgrade the charges in the case.

After his court appearance, Jones’ attorney Alain Massena told the press, "This was a tragic accident, and Mr. Jones and his family send their deepest condolences and their thoughts and prayers to the Szabo family.”

Szabo worked at What If Holdings, a company that offers web-based advertising and builds databases of consumers.

“He was a great guy to have as a colleague," Josh Gillon, CEO of What If Holdings, told according to WPEC in West Palm Beach.  "We are still in shock and incredibly sad."

Jones works as an assistant to Danny Manning at the Atlantic Coast Conference basketball program.

[Photo: Getty Images]