A teenager has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of a promising young SUNY Potsdam basketball player. Emily Smith, 20, was struck by a vehicle near the campus in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Details of the Incident
According to North Country Now, 18-year-old Jakob D. Krise of Brasher Falls, N.Y., faces multiple charges, including leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death, zero tolerance driving while intoxicated, and driving across hazard markings. Smith was hit at approximately 3:37 a.m. and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Approximately four hours after the crash, officers located a black Cadillac Escalade with front-end damage on Route 11, leading to Krise's arrest. He is scheduled to appear in Potsdam Town Court on May 20.
Tributes and Memorial
Tributes have since poured in for Smith, a transfer student who served as captain of the SUNY women's basketball team. The university released a statement expressing their grief: 'In her first year here at SUNY Potsdam, she was already excelling academically, being named to the Dean’s List, and had built a tight knit circle of friends and mentors.'
The statement continued: 'Emily was with teammates and friends at the time of the incident, and many more friends, classmates, coaches and supporters joined together with her family while she was at the hospital. We mourn Emily’s loss as one campus community, and hold her family, friends, and loved ones in our hearts at this difficult time.'
Her coach, Brittany Cohen, added: 'I am heartbroken. She was an extraordinary young woman, beloved by her teammates, coaches and everyone she met.'
The school shared images of their gymnasium, which has been transformed into a memorial space in the wake of Smith's tragic death. Plans to commemorate Smith at a later date have also been announced.
