On Feb. 14, 2002, limo driver Costas "Gus" Christofi was accidentally shot and killed at the home of NBA All-Star Jayson Williams after driving Williams and his entourage home from the Lehigh. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Williams was declared deceased at the scene. $715K Bowie Home With Rec Room, Wet Bar Sits On More Than 1 Acre, Fatal Crash Involving Temple Hills Man Under Investigation: Police, Man Faces 40+ Years In Prison For Federal Wire Fraud Conspiracy: Court, Crime Scene Investigator -Police Department, MD Cities With The Most Rapidly Growing Home Prices: Report, Fire Station Turned Home, Mid-Century Gem, $3.7M Jewel: MD Dream Homes, PGCC Partners With Everspring To Rebuild Online Courses. I was 21 and on my bike, just cruising along in Chicago. Man killed Monday in Tallmadge explosion is identified - Yahoo! For more National Men's Health Week information, click here for the 10 Facts You Must Know About Accidents. "Be sober. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He required lengthy physical therapy to regain the use of his leg. [17], Jay is a cousin of former NFL wide receiver David Tyree. Who is Jason Williams' Son, Jaxon Williams? - Players Bio Williams, 42, and a passenger in the car, 44-year-old Amber Wisted, were killed in the accident. Just a few years after retiring from the NBA , the former Nets center experienced a life-changing event that eventually sent him to prison. Jason Williams sadly died on Sunday, Sept. 26 when his car was struck by a Union Pacific train in Cedar Rapids. May 25A Woodstock man was killed in a crash Saturday after being ejected from his motorcycle in northeast Cobb County, police said Tuesday. He was a part of the US team that finished in 6th place at the 2002 FIBA World Cup, which was held in Indianapolis. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Jaxon Williams' Siblings . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. I had like an 11-year-old and like a seven-year-old. Life is all about who you decide to surround yourself by. The accident happened around 1:15 p.m. on the Caroline County . Copyright 2022 KCTV. I remember waking up later with a tube down my throat and three metal pins down my leg. The car struck a tree and overturned, the write-up continued. In every way, shape, and form, it looked like a bright future for Williams and the Nets. I was 23 then, and it was too difficult. I don't want to remember the worst day. Vince Carter Became a Volleyball Star Thanks to Breaking His Wrist. Split it 5 or 6 inches. Limo driver Costas Gus Christofi was fatally shot after bringing Williams and his entourage home from a Globetrotters game in Bethlehem. But it all changed in an instant when Williams crashed his motorcycle and nearly died. Irvine, California In 1996-97, he averaged a career-high 13.4 points despite shooting an underwhelming 40.9% from the field. If you or a family member were injured or have lost a loved one in an accident or incident contact us now. [19][20], For other people named Jason Williams, see, Life is not an Accident, William Jay, p. 258-9. In basketball that year, Williams was named a First Team All-State Player in New Jersey, the New Jersey Player of the Year, a Parade All-American, a USA Today first team All-American, and a McDonald's All-American, where he competed in the Slam Dunk Contest and the McDonald's All-American Game, scoring 20 points in the contest. So there are two different stories here. We had to take all the mirrors out of the house because she was deformed in her face because he broke the hammer over her face by hitting her so many times. Williams then lost his other sister. Click to chat with a live representative now. This was about five years ago, after I had finished interviewing Williams and his. So if Im playing Monday Morning QB, now that Im 32 and looking back, do I wish I could do it all over again? Wait, I am walking again, wait I'm not addicted to Oxy-Contin, wait I do have a career.' Legal Statement. Nationwide Report and its brands including Valiant Advocates are not a law firm, do not provide any kind of legal or medical advice, explanation, or recommendation to any of its readers about possible legal defense, rights or strategies. Hello, we are Candice Bond* and Stefano G. Formica*, and the law firm of Bond Legal works closely with victims and their families impacted by a variety of accidents and tragedies. Content Disclaimer:Nationwide Report receives their information from news organizations, and initial reports may be different reached by law enforcement personnel and other parties, upon an additional investigation. So Im happy about my life and I wouldnt change a thing. He asked to be called Jay on joining the Bulls, to avoid confusion with two other players in the NBA at the time. A DUI officer determined that Zorich should be placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. [10] In seven games played during the tournament, Williams averaged 3.9 points, 1.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.9 steals, in 6.6 minutes per game.[11]. Wife: Nikki Bonacorsi. According to the California Highway Patrol, a multi-vehicle accident, February 2, 2023 / Source: CBS News. Terrell was 55. He had recently signed to play with the Chicago Bulls after playing for Duke University. I saw I was going toward this utility pole. My second sister, Sissy, she started trying to help my sister, soothe her, and started doing drugs with my sister, who got hooked on heroin before all the painkillers they were giving her, he said. As such, The Legal Advocate cannot and does not provide any kind of advice, explanation, opinion, or recommendation to any reader about possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies the reader may have. Williams was a kid of his own who had just signed with St. Johns and he found himself with two young children. Jayson Williams never put up big-time scoring numbers, but the former Philadelphia 76ers first-round pick eventually developed into a rebounding machine. Jay Williams recalls the fateful day when he 'threw it all away' I almost passed away at 21. stored in any form without written permission from The Legal Advocate. Favorite CD:Metal Church-S/T. Jason Williams sadly died on Sunday, Sept. 26 when his car was struck by a Union Pacific train in Cedar Rapids. It was also me not being able to hide from my past. He had recently signed to play with the Chicago Bulls after playing for Duke University. [4], In 200102, Williams, Carlos Boozer, and Mike Dunleavy Jr. each scored at least 600 points for the season, a feat only matched at Duke by Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler, and Nolan Smith in the 200910 season. Use the built-in request form below to get your request started quickly. 9, 2022 at 3:19 PM PDT. I remember spinning in the air, and then lying on the ground screaming at myself, You threw it all away!. Jayson Williams is one of those NBA players who found life tough after success when he went to prison. Zorich ran a red light, hitting Williams Mercedes in the door on the drivers side. Former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams Went to Prison For - Sportscasting There were three splints in my leg to relieve the pressure. share it with us so we According to the sources, Jason Williams was the first to fall for Denika. But it all changed in an instant when. This Coffee Shop Provides Free Therapy for Men, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Then known as Jason Williams, he won the 2001 NCAA Championship with Duke, and was named NABC Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002. As a result, the accuracy of the content is not guaranteed and is based on information that has already been reported by our news sources and we do not assume responsibility for its accuracy. The Police Crash Report is available for this accident or others that have happened in the past and are provided to the individual or direct family members. When you leave nationwidereport.com to another partner or shop website, you will be covered only by their privacy policy and terms of use agreements. According to court records, police determined that Zorichs Jeep was going at a high rate of speed while approaching Ward Parkway. Know something we don't about this accident? FOX411: It's amazing that you worked yourself back to potentially playing again. No part of this content may be reproduced, In my upcoming book, Life Is Not an Accident, I talk about the power to reinvent yourself. Some cases may be co-counseled with other lawyers. In April 2004, Williams was acquitted of the more serious charges against him, but the court's jury deadlocked on a charge of reckless manslaughter. A week after the motorcycle crash, the Bulls drafted point guard Kirk Hinrich. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a, February 4, 2023 / Source: Mercury News. Williams, 42, and a passenger in the car, 44-year-old Amber Wisted, were killed in the accident. Williams was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the second overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft, after Yao Ming was selected by the Houston Rockets. Enter your Zip code for a more local, All rights reserved. I lost both my sisters. Dr. A's weekly risers and fallers: Jeremy Sochan, Christian Wood make the list, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West. After suffering that devastating leg injury, he never played in an NBA game again. Thats part of my DNA now. Student rep to UM Curators, Remington Williams, remembered after death Feed em, bathe em, and then still try to do what an 18-year-old does playing for one of the most famous universities in the world. Williams wasnt bragging, but he was proud. He spent a month at Epiphany, a rehabilitation center in Florida, before deciding to stay there to help others as a volunteer. I could have been an amputee. The Judge overseeing this case is MICHELLE WILLIAMS COURT. Jayson Williams Going to Jail for Shooting Driver, Says Source Man charged in crash that led to death of UM System student rep, Insect found outside Arkansas Walmart identified as Jurassic-era insect, Alvin Ailey is returning to Kansas City for the first time in six years, St. Lukes East Hospital placed on lockdown while police searched for a shooting suspect, Good reviews on first month of pot sales in Missouri, UM System student rep dies in Waldo crash, driver in custody on DUI suspicion. 2 Prince George's Residents Killed In Virginia Car Crash: Police A gruesome motorcycle crash ended Jay Williams's young NBA career. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-599-0297 or use the submission box found on this page. Although his performance was inconsistent and he competed for playing time with Jamal Crawford, he showed signs of promise, including posting a triple-double in a win over the New Jersey Nets. After a decade spent recovering from his injuries, Williams recounts with a rare honesty his hard-fought path to college basketball stardom and the painful lessons he's learned. Jayson Williams Crash Photos: NBA Star to Face Drunk Driving Charge In "Life is not an Accident: A Memoir of Reinvention," Williams, now 34, recounts the terrible accident and what happened afterwards, including an addiction to painkillers. While he would no longer make headlines for his basketball career, Jayson Williams stayed relevant for an entirely other reason. Man charged in crash that led to death of UM System student rep - KCTV But are there times when I get frustrated? Attorney Jason L. Williams is an experienced trial lawyer who has earned the respect of his peers in the legal community. These services are not available is all states or for all legal categories and is sponsored by legal professionals. Youve got to live your life, you know? Williams, a Cuyahoga Falls resident, apparently was using a torch to thaw ice at an outside storage container in the business parking lot when the container blew up at about 8:30 a.m. Ice buildup from the recent cold and snowy weather was keeping a door to the container from opening, a preliminary investigation determined. He was also a first team Freshman All-American by Basketball Times. Williams served 18 months and then served another eight months on a driving-under-the-influence charge. But 20 years ago this week, it was also the scene of tragedy. A guy named Sergio had stabbed her 17 times and beat her over her face with a hammer, Williams said in a 2019 interview with DJ Vlad. 07.07.03 SI Vault", "ESPN Jay Williams, in comeback attempt, cut by Nets NBA", "NBA Development League: Transactions Index". As one of the NBAs best rebounders, Jayson Williams appeared primed to dominate as he approached age 30. And I wouldnt have had that, or a sense of appreciation for my life or for my body, if that accident hadnt happened. An attorney-client relationship is not formed when calling the number on this site or filling out our form. [16], In 2021, Williams began hosting a podcast series titled The Limits with Jay Williams for NPR. "I just try to live right and let the pieces fall where they may. I tried broadcasting for about a year after my accident. Legal services are limited to the foregoing states. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team and professionally for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. More, Visit us on In an interview with "60 Minutes Sports," that airs Tuesday on Showtime, the former New Jersey Nets All-Star said he remains sober in a Florida rehab facility while he deals daily with the death of Gus Christofi in 2002. [1] His playing career was effectively ended by a motorcycle accident in 2003. Therefore, if you need legal advice for your specific situation, you should consult a licensed attorney in your area. It was a life-altering event. Yes. Williams' final NBA game was played on April 15, 2003, in a 115106 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in which he recorded 14 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal. Use the built-in request form below to get your request started quickly. When the van made the left turn, it got struck on the right side by a blue 2016 Yamaha FJR motorcycle, driven by Williams. However, according to the New York Post, Williams reportedly accidentally shot and killed Christofi while playing with a shotgun during a tour of his home. According to the investigation reports, a white and red 2004 Sprinter 2500 van, driven by 75-year-old Steve Folds, of Woodstock, was in an eastbound lane of Alabama Road (Highway 92), ready to turn left at the intersection of Old Mountain Park Road. I had a series of operations and surgeries. At the time of his injury, Williams had been averaging 8.1 points and 12.0 rebounds. Williams grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey, and attended St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, graduating in 1999. This left the team without their top draft pick just from a year prior. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. UPDATE: The Linn County Sheriff's Office has identified the two victims killed in the train accident as 42-year-old Jason Williams and 44-year-old Amber Wisted both of Cedar Rapids. There were too many players around that I had played against, and that was too painful. He is admitted to practice in all of the Florida State Courts, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.