Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim hits, kills pedestrian
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Longtime Syracuse University men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim struck and killed a man along an interstate late Wednesday night as he tried to avoid hitting the man’s disabled vehicle, police said. Syracuse police said Jorge Jimenez, 51, was an occupant in a black Dodge Charger with three others when they apparently lost control on a patch of ice and hit a guardrail before midnight Wednesday on I-690 in Syracuse. Boeheim struck Jimenez with his GMC Acadia while trying to avoid the disabled car, which was resting perpendicular on the darkened highway. The group had been heading toward the median for safety. Jimenez was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Another man in the group sustained minor injuries in the accident, police said. “I am heartbroken that a member of our community died as the result of last night’s accident,” Boeheim said in a prepared statement. The 74-year-old Hall of Famer said he and his wife Juli “extend our deepest sympathies to the Jimenez family.” He said he would not comment further “out of respect for those involved.” Police said Boeheim has been cooperating with the investigation and even used his cellphone light to warn other drivers of the disabled car after the accident. “At this time we have no reason to believe that there are criminal charges that will be coming for anyone,” Syracuse Police Chief Kenton T. Buckner said at a news conference. Police said sobriety tests administered to Boeheim and the unidentified driver of the other vehicle were negative for any signs of impairment.
› COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — The Atlanta Hawks’ new suburban G League affiliate will be named the Skyhawks. The team name, which was announced Thursday, recalls the former Hawks mascot Skyhawk, who was retired during the 2013-14 season. The College Park Skyhawks will share their team name with Point University in West Point, Georgia. The Skyhawks will debut in the 2019-20 season as the NBA’s minor league continues to expand. The league began in 2001 with eight teams and will have 28 next season.
HOCKEY
› NASHVILLE — Roman Josi had a goal and an assist as the Nashville Predators beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 Thursday night to move atop the Central Division with their third win in four games. The Predators now have 77 points to edge ahead of Winnipeg (76), though the Jets have three games in hand on Nashville. Kyle Turris added the other goal for Nashville, which also swept the season series with Los Angeles, and goalie Pekka Rinne made 28 saves for the win. Michael Amadio scored a goal for the Kings.