Syracuse head basketball coach Jim Boeheim was involved in an accident late Wednesday night on I-690 in which he struck and killed a man, Jorge Jimenez, walking away from his car after a single-car accident on the interstate.
According to Syracuse police, Boeheim was attempting to avoid the car that had stopped in the middle of the road, but Jimenez had gotten out of the car and was walking on the highway near the car when he was hit, via Syracuse.com.
“The occupants then exited the vehicle and proceeded to walk on the highway within close proximity to that vehicle,” Syracuse police said in a 9:51 a.m. news release. “An oncoming vehicle noticed the disabled car and tried avoiding the vehicle, which was in the middle of the road.”
Boeheim was not under the influence of alcohol, as police administered field sobriety and alco-sensor tests on both drivers, which came back negative. The coach has been fully cooperating with police regarding the investigation into the accident and stopped immediately to offer assistance after striking Jimenez.
Syracuse PD: Boeheim is cooperating with the investigation. He tried to avoid the vehicle in the middle of the road. Field sobriety tests were negative. No tickets have been issued. The victim is 51-year-old Jorge Jimenez.
— Trish Kilgannon (@trishkilgannon) February 21, 2019
Weather in Syracuse at the time of the crash was rainy and cold, with some ice present on roadways, but it has not been determined if that played any role in either wreck.
Boeheim released a statement on Thursday morning regarding the accident.
Statement from Jim Boeheim:
"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."
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 21, 2019
