HOBOKEN, N.J. — Family members say the cousin of Ben Simmons, who was picked first by the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA draft, has died after being struck by a car in a New Jersey neighborhood.
Twenty-one-year-old Zachary Simmons died after being struck early Saturday while crossing a street in Hoboken. Authorities say the sport utility vehicle that struck the Ramsey man fled the scene.
The victim’s mother, Monique Steele, told WCBS-TV her son had gone with Simmons to the NBA draft earlier in the week. She said he was walking back from a friend’s birthday party when he was struck and killed.
Ben Simmons posted a photo Saturday night on Twitter showing him standing with his cousin. The caption read: “(hash)ripZacharySimmons.”
Police were still searching for the fleeing vehicle Saturday night.
