Posted on 03/26/2007 11:44:39 AM PDT by JZelle
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Jason Ray, a North Carolina student who performed as a mascot for the school's basketball team, died three days after being struck by a car hours before an NCAA tournament game. He was 21.
Ray died Monday morning, said Steve Kirschner, the university's associate athletic director for communications.
Ray had been in critical condition at Hackensack University Medical Center since the accident Friday afternoon. He was hit from behind while walking on a highway shoulder near his Fort Lee hotel after going to a nearby convenience store.
Ray performed as UNC's ram mascot, Rameses. He was scheduled to graduate in May with a major in business administration and a minor in religion. He was in New Jersey for the men's game between North Carolina and Southern California.
Emmitt Ray said his son "absolutely loved" dressing up as Rameses, despite the costume's bulk.
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.washingtontimes.com ...
Same here. We have a 20 year old college student in our family.
Hmmmmm... God works in interesting ways.
Wow. First I heard of this.
from article:
"It was his way of supporting the team," the father told The Star-Ledger of Newark. "There are things you just can't explain. He wasn't doing anything he wasn't supposed to be doing. He was 200 yards from the hotel."
No charges have been filed against the driver of the sport utility vehicle. Police said the driver stopped immediately to try to help Ray and called 911. Police also said the driver had a valid driver's license and did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Condolences to Jason Ray's family and friends and the students, faculty and alumni at The University of North Carolina.
I feel sorry for anyone who loses a child, no matter what the age. This young man was just coming into his own, and happily provided a lot of joy to others by being the school mascot. God bless them all.
Tragic.
Prayers up.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/ncaa/specials/ncaa_tourney/2007/03/26/bc.bkc.northcarolinamas.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
"Gagik Hovsepyan, 51, the driver who hit Ray..."
The driver's small son was asleep in the vehicle with him.
Tragic...couldn't help but cry for loved ones, and for all concerned. Prayers up.
The headline makes it sound like the mascot was in full dress outfit when he was hit...
That's the image I get when I read that headline..
So sorry to hear of this man's death..
"No charges have been filed against the driver of the sport utility vehicle."
Hmmm. If Ray was on the shoulder when he was struck, I would definitely say there should be some sort of charges. Not saying it wasn't an accident, but if he was on the shoulder when struck then the driver screwed up. If he was out on the road and dressed all in black, OTOH...
The biggest highway through Fort Lee is the New Jersey Turnpike, as it approaches the George Washington Bridge. It's about 32 lanes of motorized mayhem. If somebody is walking along the shoulder of that particulary highway, they are taking their life into their hands.
I see from the SI article that he was walking along Route 4. Also a pretty big road, with not a lot of room along the side. Not a good place to be walking.
Yep, the driver didn't keep the vehicle in the lane, but walking on the shoulder of a highway isn't the smartest thing either.
Very sad.
Wonder how he hit Ray if Ray was indeed on the shoulder. If he lost control, swerved or what..
How sad, sad, sad
"Not a good place to be walking."
Especially with you back to the traffic, huh? Still, drivers have a responsibility to keep their car between the lines and not drive on the shoulder. I'd probably give the driver a minor ticket. Maybe the cops were afraid to give lawyers an additional tool to beat the driver up with in the case of a civil suit against him by the parents. I expect his insurance company is on the hook for something as it is. Sad story for everyone involved, no doubt.
Don't know...first report I heard on T.V. said he had stepped in front of traffic. Could be he lost his footing, or inadvertently stepped off the curb...could be the driver took his eye off the road to check on his sleeping son...just don't know. Yes, it is heartbreaking.
We tried to do our exercise walk at night with flashlights. We had to quit becuase for one reason or another I kept getting disoriented. I KNEW I was away from the street but kept heading further into the grass and walking on an angle. I would straighten up and go again and the same thing happened. Just could not get my bearings. Perhaps the young man might have experienced the same thing...especially if they say he had stepped out onto the road. No matter...it is very sad. The loss of a tremendous student, son and friend to so many. God bless all of those who love him. Hard times for certain.
As a New Jerseyan, I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the family and to the members of UNC during this sad time.
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