Hoboken Police Arrest NY Man For Hit-And-Run That Killed Ben Simmons' Cousin

Hoboken, NJ – Police have released the identity of a man arrested in connection with a hit-and-run incident that killed the cousin of NBA No. 1 draft pick Ben Simmons last month.

Hoboken city and police officials announced that Mark T. Nicholas, 50, of Brooklyn, NY, was arrested early Friday morning in Manhattan.

Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrrante said that Nicholas is not employed with ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft, but there was a possibility that Nicholas might be a professional driver.

Authorities have not determined if Nicholas was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash, NJ.com reported.

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

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.

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.

Sign up for Patch NJ email newsletters here.