A final report from District Attorney William Fitzpatrick determined that no charges will be filed in last month’s crash involving Syracuse mens basketball Coach Jim Boeheim that killed 51-year-old Jorge Jimenez.
The report, released Thursday, concluded that “based on the totality of the circumstances surrounding this collision investigation, Boeheim’s operation of his motor vehicle was not reckless, unreasonable or with gross negligence, and no crimes were committed.”
- Boeheim’s limited and obstructed view
- Boeheim’s reaction to an uninvolved vehicle that obstructed two lanes of the highway within a poor/reduced visual environment
- Pedestrian error/confusion as the pedestrians remained on the dark highway dressed in dark clothing
According to investigators, a car carrying Jimenez and three other people crashed into a guardrail on Interstate 690 near the Thompson Road exit on February 20 on their way to Turning Stone Casino. It was later determined that the crash was caused after the car hit a patch of ice.
All four passengers then got out of the vehicle.
Boeheim told police that he had dinner at Joey’s that evening after Syracuse defeated Louisville at the Carrier Dome. He then dropped off family friends at a hotel and proceeded home, where he came to the scene of the crash.
“As I passed Midler Ave....before Thompson Road....(and) crested the hill...traveling down the center lane I observed a vehicle sitting sideways in the middle lane....I could see the vehicle and there was no lights.....I reacted and moved to the far left lane by the guardrail,” Boeheim said, according to the report. “I know I would not be able to stop in time and made an effort to get as close to the guardrail to avoid striking the vehicle. As I get to the front of the vehicle, I observed what I believe is a person along the guardrail; there might have been more than one person. Then a split second later I hear a loud bang and I start coming to a stop.”
Jimenez was transported to Upstate University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The report said the vehicle carrying Jimenez would not have passed New York State inspection for several reasons that may be germane to the original accident. Two of the tires had inadequate tread and the remaining two tires would have barely passed inspection. In addition, the driver and passenger rear marker lights were found to be inoperable. Finally all four of the vehicle’s windows had 4 percent light transmittance as opposed to a passing rate of 70 percent, making the vehicle even more difficult to be seen by oncoming traffic.
There were also no road lights in the area of the crash, there was no moonlight, and no ambient lighting from nearby businesses.
“After a careful review of the facts and circumstances of this case, including the thorough and meticulous accident reconstruction performed by experienced members of the Syracuse Police Department’s Traffic Division, I concur with their findings that this was a tragic accident,” DA Fitzpatrick says in the report. “No charges will be filed against anyone involved. While I recognize that, technically, charges of speeding could be filed against both Mr. Boeheim and Mr. Brinones, in light of the accident reconstruction report, I am exercising my discretion in declining to charge either party. Members of my office and the Police Officers who performed the accident reconstruction and prepared the report have met with the Jiminez family, answered all their questions and have been completely transparent with them. My office will share all reports and findings with the Jiminez family, and I echo Chief Buckner’s sentiments that this was a tragic loss of life. My condolences are extended to this family for the loss of their companion, father and friend.”