Wake Forest assistant basketball coach Jamil Jones surrendered to police on Thursday (Aug. 9), charged with an assault in New York City that resulted in the death of a tourist, according to authorities.
Jones, 35, has been charged with misdemeanor and third degree assault after a Florida tourist, also in New York City, mistook Jones for an Uber driver.
Police say Jones attacked digital marketing guru Sandor Szabo around 1:15 a.m. last Sunday in Queens, causing him to fall and smash his head on the sidewalk. Police say Szabo, visiting from Boca Raton, Florida, banged on the window of Jones’ SUV while looking for his ride after his stepsister’s wedding.
Police say the coach got out, followed Szabo to the sidewalk, clocked him and sped off.
The incident is said to have taken place at 1:15 a.m. on Tuesday morning (Aug. 7). Szabo died just before 3 p.m. later that Tuesday in a New York hospital. Jones pled not guilty in the hearing.
Jones joined Danny Manning’s staff a little over a year ago — May 2017. Prior to that, Jones was an assistant for Johnny Dawkins at Central Florida.
Wake Forest, which had no immediate comment, released the following statement:
Statement from Wake Forest Athletics on Jamill Jones:
"We have just been made aware of this matter and we are gathering information.
"We will make a further statement after we learn more about the matter."
— Wake Forest Sports (@DemonDeacons) August 9, 2018
Update: Wake Forest announced Friday afternoon that Jamil Jones has been placed on leave.
Wake Forest announces that Jamill Jones has been placed "on leave" by Ron Wellman and that they spoke today.
— Conor O'Neill (@ConorONeillWSJ) August 10, 2018