Tragic Loss: College Basketball Captain Fatally Struck in Suspected Hit-and-Run Involving 18-Year-Old Charged with DWI

A promising 20-year-old college student and standout basketball player lost her life in a tragic hit-and-run incident, according to police reports.

Emily Mae Smith, hailing from Greenville, New York, passed away early Saturday morning after being struck by a vehicle near Pierrepont Avenue in Potsdam. This information was confirmed by a statement from the Potsdam Police Department.

Smith was a business administration major and a transfer student at the State University of New York (SUNY).

“In her initial year at SUNY Potsdam, Emily not only shone academically, earning a spot on the Dean’s List, but she also formed a close network of friends and mentors,” Dr. Suzanne Smith, President of SUNY Potsdam, remarked in a statement.

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Early Saturday morning, Emily Smith, a sophomore SUNY Potsdam women’s basketball team member, was struck and killed by a vehicle near campus. Smith was a transfer student and business administration major from Greenville, New York. (Emily Smith/Instagram)

Police said the rising basketball star was walking when she was struck by a older-model black Cadillac Escalade. Police responded to the area around 3:37 a.m. Saturday.

Smith was transported to Canton-Potsdam Hospital where she was pronounced dead from her injuries.

Authorities said the suspect vehicle fled immediately after the crash. At approximately 7:25 a.m., officers located the suspect vehicle traveling on U.S. Route 11 east of the village of Potsdam and took the driver, identified as Jakob D. Krise, 18, of Brasher Falls, New York, into custody without incident, according to the release.

Emily Smith was struck by a older-model black Cadillac Escalade on Pierrepont Avenue at about 3:37 a.m, and the vehicle left the scene immediately, police said. (A J Cunningham Funeral Homes Inc)

Krise has been charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death, zero tolerance driving while intoxicated and driving across hazard markings, police said.

He was arraigned in Town of Pierrepont Court and released under probation supervision. Authorities said he is scheduled to appear in Potsdam Town Court on Wednesday as the investigation remains active.

SUNY Potsdam said the Jerry Welsh Gymnasium will serve as a memorial space for members of the campus community to remember and honor Emily Smith. (Emily Smith/Instagram)

Potsdam’s head coach, Brittany Cohen, described Smith as “an extraordinary young woman.”

“I am heartbroken by the loss of our captain, Emily,” Cohen said. “She was an extraordinary young woman, beloved by her teammates, coaches and everyone she met. Her presence will be greatly missed.”

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Athletic Director Mark Misiak added: “We are heartbroken and devastated by the news of Emily’s passing. To lose such a bright soul at such a young age is a tragedy.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office for additional information.

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