Syracuse Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim Hits, Kills Man Walking on Highway

Published: 2/21/2019, 1:58:54 PM EST

Syracuse Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim Hits, Kills Man Walking on Highway — Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange reacts to a play against the Eastern Washington Eagles during the second half at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York on Nov. 06, 2018. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)

Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim hit and killed a pedestrian walking on the interstate in New York, he confirmed in a statement.

The man was walking on I-690 in Syracuse just before 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 20. He was walking after leaving a vehicle he was riding in that crashed into a guard rail.

“The occupants then exited the vehicle and proceeded to walk on the highway within close proximity to that vehicle,” the Syracuse Police Department said in a statement. “An oncoming vehicle noticed the disabled car and tried avoiding the vehicle, which was in the middle of the road.”

Boeheim, 74, was driving the second vehicle and hit the man, identified as 51-year-old Jorge Jimenez.

Police officers rushed to the scene and performed sobriety tests, which were negative for both drivers. No tickets have been issued as of yet.

Friends and family members told The Post-Standard that Boeheim does not drink alcohol.

In a statement sent to news outlets, Boeheim said: "I am heartbroken that a member of our community died as the result of last night's accident. Juli and I extend our deepest sympathies to the Jimenez family. Out of respect for those involved, I will not be providing further comment at this time."

Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack added in a statement: "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. Coach Boeheim is in contact with local authorities and cooperating fully. "

Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick told ESPN that the coach was traveling the proper speed for the highway and was returning home from dinner with his wife and friends after his team won a game at the Carrier Dome a few hours earlier.

"It's just a terrible, unfortunate accident," Fitzpatrick said. "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."

Fatal Car Crash Statistics

The Department of Transportation said in October 2018 that there were 37,133 deaths from motor vehicle crashes in 2017, a decrease of less than 2 percent from 2016.

In comparison, there was an increase of about 6.5 percent from 2015 to 2016 and an increase of about 8 percent from 2014 to 2015.

Pedestrian fatalities also declined by about 2 percent.

While deaths in both categories decreased, officials said more can be done.

“Dangerous actions such as speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence are still putting many Americans, their families and those they share the road with at risk,” said National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Deputy Administrator Heidi King in a statement. “Additionally, we must address the emerging trend of drug-impaired driving to ensure we are reducing traffic fatalities and keeping our roadways safe for the traveling public.”

The deaths occurred over 34,247 motor vehicle crashes, resulting in 11.4 deaths per 100,000 people and 1.1 deaths per 100 million miles traveled. The highest fatality rate was in Mississippi, with 23.1 deaths per 100,000 people, and the highest death rate per 100 million miles was in South Carolina, with 1.8 deaths, according to an analysis of Department of Transportation data by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

A preliminary estimate of the first half of 2018 (pdf) showed that an estimated 17,120 people died in car crashes from January through June, which would be a decrease of about 3 percent from the previous year. The statistics indicate the fifth consecutive quarter in which traffic fatalities declined.