A talented young basketball captain and top student has died after police say she was struck by a vehicle whose driver allegedly fled the scene.
Emily Mae Smith, 20, was killed in the early hours of Saturday morning.
According to police, officers were called to reports of a pedestrian being hit by a vehicle at around 3.37am near Pierrepont Avenue in Potsdam, as reported by Need To Know.
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Emily was taken to hospital but later died from her injuries.
Authorities allege the driver left the scene immediately after the collision near the SUNY Potsdam campus in New York state.
Investigators later identified the suspect vehicle as an older-model black Cadillac Escalade with front-end damage.
At around 7.25am, officers located the vehicle travelling on Route 11 east of Potsdam and arrested Jakob D. Krise, 18, without incident.
Police said Krise has been charged with leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle crash, zero tolerance driving while intoxicated and driving across hazard markings.
He was later arraigned and released under probation supervision.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges could still follow.
Emily was a sophomore business administration student at the State University of New York Potsdam and captain of the women’s basketball team.
In a statement released by the university, SUNY Potsdam President Dr Suzanne Smith said Emily had already made a major impact on campus.
“In her first year here at SUNY Potsdam, Emily was already excelling academically, being named to the Dean’s List, and had built a tight-knit circle of friends and mentors,” she said.
The university said Emily had been with teammates and friends before the incident.
Women’s basketball coach Brittany Cohen described her as “an extraordinary young woman”.
“I am heartbroken by the loss of our captain, Emily,” she said.
“She was beloved by her teammates, coaches and everyone she met. Her presence will be greatly missed.”
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.”
The university said Jerry Welsh Gymnasium would serve as a memorial space for students, teammates and members of the campus community wishing to leave flowers and messages in Emily’s honour.
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