SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim hit and killed a man on Interstate 690 late Wednesday night. The crash happened around 11:20 p.m. near Thompson Road in Syracuse. When officers arrived they found the victim, 51-year-old Jorge Jimenez of Syracuse, and he was transported to Upstate University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Jimenez and his family are originally from Cuba, which the public learned in a press conference with Syracuse officials Thursday. evening. Investigators say a vehicle on I-690 was involved in a guard rail crash, and the occupants exited the vehicle on the highway. They say Boeheim hit Jimenez with his vehicle as he was trying to avoid hitting the car, which was left in the driving lane. The victim was standing near his car on the side of the roadway. The longtime Orange basketball coach released a statement Thursday afternoon extending his sympathies to the family, saying: "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." Both drivers stayed at the scene, and are cooperating with the police investigation. Field sobriety tests were given to both drivers and came back with negative results for any signs of impairment. No tickets have been issued at this time, but the highway was shut down for several hours while crews investigated the crash. Wednesday night, the Orange played a home game against Louisville that ended around 9 p.m. Syracuse University Athletic Director John Wildhack released a statement saying: "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. Out of respect for those grieving, there will be no further comment at this time."<doc-sep>SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse police identified the man who was outside his vehicle when he was struck and killed by Syracuse men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim late Wednesday night. Jorge Jimenez, 51, of Syracuse, was transported to Upstate University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The accident occurred at 11:22 p.m. on Interstate 690 Eastbound near Thompson Road, Syracuse police said. The police investigation revealed that Jimenez was a passenger in a vehicle that lost control on the highway striking a guard rail. People in the car got out and proceeded to walk on the highway near the vehicle, police said. Boeheim, 74, of DeWitt, noticed the disabled car and tried avoiding the vehicle, which was in the road. Boeheim’s vehicle struck the man who was standing on the side of the road, police said. Both drivers remained on scene and are cooperating with this investigation. Field sobriety and alco-sensor tests for both drivers were negative for any signs of impairment, police said. Reconstruction of the scene will be performed and speeds cannot be determined at this time. No uniformed traffic tickets have been issued at this time. Syracuse police ask anyone with information to contact the Syracuse Police Department at 442-5222. All calls will be kept confidential. Anonymous information may also be submitted by using the “SPD Tips” App. Read full statement from Syracuse police: The Syracuse Police Department investigates a fatal crash. On Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at about 11:22 P.M., the Syracuse Police Department responded to 690 East near Thompson Road for a crash. Upon Officers arrival, they found a 51 year old victim, Jorge Jimenez, of Syracuse who had been struck by a vehicle. The victim was transported to Upstate University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The Syracuse Police Department Traffic Section commenced an investigation. As a result of that investigation so far, it was revealed that the victim was an occupant in a vehicle that had lost control on the highway striking a guard rail. The occupants then exited the vehicle and proceeded to walk on the highway within close proximity to that vehicle. An oncoming vehicle noticed the disabled car and tried avoiding the vehicle which was in the middle of the road. As a result, the driver, James Boeheim 74, of Fayetteville NY struck the victim who was standing on the side of the road. Both drivers remained on scene and are cooperating with this investigation. Field sobriety and alco-sensor tests for both drivers were negative for any signs of impairment. Reconstruction of the scene will be performed and speeds cannot be determined at this time. No Uniformed Traffic Tickets have been issued at this time. This investigation is still active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Syracuse Police Department at 442-5222. All calls will be kept confidential. Anonymous information may also be submitted by using the “SPD Tips” App, available on Android and iPhones.<doc-sep>
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse University chancellor Kent Syverud and athletic director John Wildhack issued statements Thursday regarding the fatal car accident that SU basketball coach Jim Boeheim was involved in late Wednesday night. Boeheim was driving on I-690 East in Syracuse when he struck and killed a man who was standing outside of a car that had struck a guardrail. "We are saddened by the death of a member of our Central New York community,'' Wildhack 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.'' In his statement, Syverud said, "Like all of you, I am deeply saddened by the news that a member of our Central New York community was tragically killed in an accident last night involving coach Jim Boeheim. Coach Boeheim is understandably heartbroken by the loss of life. On behalf of our entire Syracuse University family, Dr. Ruth Chen and I extend our deepest condolences to the Jimenez family and all those grieving this terrible loss.'' Friends and former players who have called or texted Boeheim said he was “shaken” but is OK after the accident. Jorge Jimenez, 51, of Syracuse, was transported to Upstate University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The accident occurred at 11:22 p.m. on Interstate 690 Eastbound near Thompson Road, Syracuse police said. The police investigation revealed that Jimenez was a passenger in a vehicle that lost control on the highway striking a guard rail. People in the car got out and proceeded to walk on the highway near the vehicle, police said. Boeheim, 74, of DeWitt, noticed the disabled car and tried avoiding the vehicle, which was in the road. Boeheim’s vehicle struck the man who was standing on the side of the road, police said. Follow Syracuse basketball on Twitter and Facebook.