Authorities suspect icy road conditions set off the chain of events that led Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim to kill a pedestrian on a Syracuse expressway.
Boeheim was driving home from last night's game at the Dome when Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner says he swerved to avoid a vehicle that had wrecked moments earlier in the center of I-690. Instead he struck one of the driver of the wrecked car who was on foot and crossing the road. Chief Buckner says the car had spun out and hit the guardrail, partially blocking the driving lane.
The dead Syracuse man was 51-year-old Jorge Jimenez. Chief Buckner says Jimenez was walking toward the median when Boeheim came up from behind in his car, tried to swerve around the wrecked car and struck Jimenez.
Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick says an alcohol test confirmed neither Boeheim nor the other driver was drunk.
Boeheim has been cooperating with investigators and called 911 to report the accident. Both he and both surviving passengers from the other car were interviewed by police this afternoon. Chief Buckner calls it a tragic accident. He says he doesn't believe charges will be filed, but says that will be up to the District Attorney.
WHAM1180's Bob Lonsberry's full interview with Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick has been posted below.