Ben Simmons’ Cousin Killed In Hit-And-Run Accident

Just days after being selected No. 1 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, tragedy struck Ben Simmons and his family. Simmons’ cousin, Zachary Simmons, was crossing the street in Hoboken, NJ early Saturday morning when he was struck and killed by a black SUV.

More from CBS New York

Zachary Simmons, 21, of Ramsey, was struck and killed by a black SUV around 3:30 a.m. Saturday at Willow Avenue and Sixth Street.

 

The impact was so great witnesses reported hearing two loud thuds.

 

The victim’s grieving mother, Monique Steele, told CBS2’s Steve Langford that police told her the car was going at least 70 miles an hour.

 

“To be speeding enough to kill my child is beyond me,” Steele said.

 

The young victim was out for a friend’s birthday Friday evening, after celebrating his cousin Ben Simmons’ selection this week by the Philadelphia 76ers, his mother said.

Simmons took to Twitter to pay tribute to his family member:

https://twitter.com/BenSimmons25/status/746879898170580992

https://twitter.com/BenSimmons25/status/746880149057052672

https://twitter.com/BenSimmons25/status/746881085431226369