The Wednesday night car crash involving Syracuse University coach Jim Boeheim that killed a Syracuse man has left many in Central New York mourning, especially those who know the victim, Jorge Jimenez.
One of those people grieving is Fanny Villarreal, the president and CEO of the YWCA of Syracuse. She met Jimenez 20 years ago when she was the executive director of the Spanish Action League.
"It is extremely sad, it's a tragedy for the whole entire community, for both families. It's a terrible tragedy," said Villarreal.
She remembers him as a guy who was always there to lend a helping hand.
"When I hired him, then he was coming, always to help and try painting, cleaning, whatever we needed. He was always there to help us out," she said.
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She also described Jiminez as someone who would do anything for the people he cared about.
"He loved to fish, a very caring person, the caring I knew back then in 1999 because like I said he was willing to do anything for the Spanish Action League,” said Villarreal. “Cleaning, painting, whatever was needed always."
A family member on Facebook says Jiminez was attempting to save the other passengers lives when he was killed.
Jiminez was one of four occupants of a car that hit a guarddrail late Wednesday night on Interstate 690. Boeheim, in an oncoming vehicle, noticed the disabled car and tried avoiding the vehicle, which was in the middle of the road. As a result, Boeheim struck the victim who was standing on the side of the road.