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Hall Of Fame College Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim Strikes And Kills Man On Highway After Game
Jorge Jimenez, 51, was in a car with three others before midnight Wednesday when their vehicle crashed into a guardrail on I-690; Boeheim struck Jimenez while trying to avoid the vehicle, police say.
Syracuse men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim struck and killed a man walking on an interstate late Wednesday night as he tried to avoid hitting the man's disabled vehicle, police say.
Syracuse police say 51-year-old Jorge Jimenez was in a car with three others before midnight Wednesday when their vehicle crashed into a guardrail on I-690 in Syracuse.
Boeheim struck Jimenez while trying to avoid the vehicle. Jimenez was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Boeheim, the 74-year-old Basketball Hall of Fame coach, is cooperating with the investigation.
"He stopped immediately and exited the vehicle," said Syracuse Sgt. Matthew Malinowski.
Police said sobriety tests were administered to Boeheim and were negative for any signs of impairment. Friends and family told Syracuse.com that Boeheim does not drink alcohol.
No tickets have been issued to Boeheim at this time and the investigation is continuing.
“Reconstruction of the scene will be performed and speeds cannot be determined at this time,” police said in a statement, according to Syracuse.com.
A freezing rain had fallen earlier Wednesday night, though it is unclear if the weather had anything to do with the crash.
SU Athletics Director John Wildhack issued a statement on the matter.
“We are saddened by the death of a member of our Central New York community. On behalf of chancellor Kent Syverud and the entire Syracuse University community, we extend our deepest condolences to all impacted by this tragic accident,” he said, according to WSYR.
Boeheim has coached at Syracuse for 43 years, winning a national title in 2003 and making five Final Four appearances. His team defeated Louisville 69-49 Wednesday night during a home game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
