Syracuse’s Boeheim hits, kills man on highway
The Dan Le Batard Show reacts to news that Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim was driving a car that hit and killed a pedestrian on a highway Wednesday. (1:23)
Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim was driving a car that hit and killed a pedestrian on an interstate highway Wednesday night in Syracuse, New York, police said in a statement Thursday.
Jorge Jimenez, 51, was outside a car on Interstate 690; the vehicle was involved in an unrelated accident due to bad weather. Jimenez was a passenger in that car, which struck the guardrail and came to rest in the middle of the road. The occupants exited the vehicle.
Boeheim’s car attempted to avoid the vehicle in the road and struck Jimenez after 11 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Police were then called to the scene.
Field sobriety and alcohol sensor tests were performed on Boeheim and the driver of the other vehicle and came back negative, police said in the statement. Police said speeds could not be determined, but Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick said Boeheim was traveling at the proper speed for the highway.
“It’s just a terrible, unfortunate accident,” Fitzpatrick told ESPN. “We don’t yet know [exactly] what caused the initial accident. Coach Boeheim was not involved in that accident. The occupants of the vehicle, including the deceased, were wandering in the road.”
Fitzpatrick said Boeheim, 74, was returning home from dinner with his wife and friends. He had guided the Orange to a 69-49 victory over No. 18 Louisville at the Carrier Dome a few hours earlier.
Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack issued a statement Thursday: “We are saddened by the death of a member of our Central New York community,” he said. “On behalf of Chancellor Kent Syverud and the entire Syracuse University community, we extend our deepest condolences to all impacted by this tragic accident. Coach Boeheim is in contact with local authorities and cooperating fully. Out of respect for those grieving, there will be no further comment at this time. “
No traffic citations were issued, but the investigation is active and ongoing, according to police.