Crime & Safety

Hoboken Cops Make Arrest: Hit-And-Run Killed NBA No. 1 Draft Pick's Cousin

Zachary Simmons of Ramsey - the cousin of top basketball draft pick Ben Simmons - died in a Hoboken hit-and-run incident, police say.

Hoboken, NJ – Hoboken police have made an arrest in connection with a hit-and-run incident that killed the cousin of NBA No. 1 draft pick Ben Simmons last month.

The Hoboken Police Department announced Friday that an arrest was made in the case; details were expected to be released later in the day.

Zachary Simmons, 21, of Ramsey, was hit by a black SUV at Willow Avenue and Sixth Street on June 25, CBS2 reported.

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The hit-and-run occurred at 3:30 a.m., the report said.

The victim's mother, Monique Steele, told CBS2 that police said the vehicle was traveling at least 70 miles per hour. The victim was out at a friend's birthday party after celebrating his cousin's No. 1 selection in the NBA Draft Thursday when the crash occurred, Steele confirmed in the report.

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Ben Simmons posted about the crash and his cousin on Twitter.

The Record reported that the vehicle may have been a Cadillac Escalade, citing the Hudson County Sheriff's office. Witnesses reported hearing two loud thuds when the accident occurred, according to the CBS2 report.

Simmons was pronounced dead at 4:25 a.m. at Jersey City Medical Center, according to The Record.

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