UNC Mascot Hit By Car Dies

Jason Ray Was Walking Along Highway While In New Jersey For NCAA Tournament

(CBS/AP)  Jason Ray, the University of North Carolina student who suits up as the school's mascot, died Monday two days after being hit by a car in New Jersey where had planned to attend the Tar Heels' NCAA basketball game at the Continental Airlines Arena.

The 21-year-old senior was struck near his hotel in Fort Lee, while walking along a busy highway leading from the George Washington Bridge. Ray was one of three students who portrayed UNC's ram mascot, Rameses.

Ray's father, Emmitt, who flew to New Jersey in a friend's private plane after getting word of his son's life-threatening head injuries, had said doctors held out little hope for his son's recovery "short of the intervention of the Lord."

Ray left his hotel to go to a nearby convenience store Friday afternoon for a burrito and a soda, and was walking back along Route 4 when he was struck from behind by an SUV. The driver stopped immediately to call 911. No charges have been filed.

"We've known Jason since he was 11 years old — he is an awesome kid," said Jodi Stewart, a neighbor of the Ray family who attends the same church in Concord, N.C. "I never knew a kid who was more full of life. He was excited every day. He loved what he was doing, he loved God, his family, and being the school's mascot."

A group of about 40 people attended a prayer session held on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus Sunday afternoon, said Laura Ely, a UNC senior who met Ray early in their freshman year. She described Ray as "an amazing person" who had a large, diverse group of friends at UNC and other nearby schools.

Stewart said about 30 of Ray's family and friends were at Hackensack University Medical Center Sunday, including his parents, Emmitt and Charlotte Ray, two brothers, and five high school friends who lived with Ray in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Stewart said Ray was an Eagle scout and was involved in his church. While in high school at Jay M. Robinson High School in Concord, Ray was often seen cheering in the stands at basketball games, she said.

Ray's dad told The Star-Ledger that his son "absolutely loved" dressing up as Rameses, despite the costume's bulk.

"It was his way of supporting the team," Emmitt Ray said. "There are things you just can't explain. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time. He wasn't doing anything he wasn't supposed to be doing. He was 200 yards from the hotel."

Police said Gagik Hovsepyan, 51, the driver who hit Ray, had a valid driver's license and did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. His son was asleep in the SUV at the time, police said.

At 6-foot-5, Jason Ray was such a commanding presence that when UNC coach Roy Williams first met him in the campus gym, he wondered aloud why Ray wasn't on his team.

"I'm too slow and I can't jump," Jason told Williams. "But I can be of assistance in other ways, Coach."

Ray had been scheduled to graduate in May with a 3.6 GPA, majoring in business administration with a minor in religion. He had a sales and marketing job lined up in nearby Raleigh, N.C.

my prayers are with jason and his family.

[fiteit1]

Bad things shouldn't happen to good people.

[kateinnc]

To say "I'm sorry" to the family is so grossly inadequate. As a Chapel Hillian, we mourn with you in this most painful of times. Jason was just amazing. My young daughter, Caroline, adored him; he was so patient with children. Jason's faith ensured his welcome in Heaven. I am praying for God's comfort for Jason's family.

[ghandig1]

So very sad. During such an exciting week for this young man, a tragedy like this is so hard for his family, friends and classmates. Never take life for granted. May Jason rest in peace.

[newton221]

I read the entire story. If nobody did anything wrong then can someone please tell me what happened. How do you just get ran down from behind by a car? Was Jason in the roadway?

[joestazz1]

I tell you the truth I dont think justice was really done here , Ok i understand that the person driving the SUV was not on drugs or any other chemical , But what the heck happened Did the driver fall asleep or did he pass out what i would seriously like answers . How do we know if the driver of the SUV had something against Jason Ray and this was the only way the SUV driver can commit a crime and be free of it . With all do respect yes the driver stopped and called 911 right away but there should be more actions taken against the driver like suspend or take license away for a year and put the driver in a class for 6 months . Does the driver wear glasses or shades ? What the entire story seems fishy to me Sorry but i just dont buy it . The system needs to give greater punishment for such a crime that was done . many people would think this is a way out by running someone over that you might hate or dislike and getting away with it . I pray for Jason Ray Family . God Rest Jason Ray Soul

[mainewintahs]

"Only the GOOD die young"
My sympathies to the family and friends of Jason.

[musty2u]

Joe, nearly fifteen fatalities for pedestrians occur daily from the nearly 189 daily car vs people lash-ups. Good, or otherwise, pedestrians must remain alert. From your post, might I surmise you want the drivers fingernails removed over the next six months?

[s1ckd09]

The unfortunate fact of this story is that he was walking on the wrong side of the street. You are supposed to walk against traffic, not with it, for this very reason. It is very hard for motorists to see someone walking at night. If you are on a bike or any other vehicle you are supposed to go with traffic, but when walking you should walk against it.

[januaryjame]

My sympathy goes out to Jason Ray's grief-stricken family & friends.

I heard his father make a comment, aired on CBS (& please note that this is only my paraphrase), regarding Jason's wish to be an organ donor; he said "Perhaps someone who would have died today may have been able to live instead...using an organ that Jason now cannot."

This is indisputably a tragedy. My thoughts are with this loved ones.

[rjstolba]

Please include my condolences on the death of this young man to any correspondence you send to his parents.

[acauble1]

It just goes to show, that even when we do the simplest things, from tying our shoes to walking across the street, that our life can end without notice. It shows that we should take any moment we can and be thankful for the life we have and the memories that come with it.

I hope that Jason was also able to enjoy the moments he experienced within the short life he had on this planet. Rest in peace.

[nothappyatall]

"How do we know if the driver of the SUV had something against Jason Ray and this was the only way the SUV driver can commit a crime and be free of it . With all do respect yes the driver stopped and called 911 right away but there should be more actions taken against the driver like suspend or take license away for a year and put the driver in a class for 6 months"

Oh come on now! how about the kid was walking and wasn't paying attention and got a little too close to that nice little white line at the edge of the highway, along comes a driver who tends to hug the white line, especially when there are large trucks around,and WHAMMO, all it takes is a slight glancing hit by a vehicle going 65 to kill you.

[puzzler125]

Why can't some people (I'm referring to some of the letter writers here) accept the fact that accidents do happen no matter how careful we are? Why must someone be "punished?"

He sounds like such a dear young man and my heart goes out to his family.

[musty2u]

All right, can we agree, then, that the SUV was built too wide and the the manufacturer had not posted enough warnings about hugging the white line?

[s1ckd09]

"All right, can we agree, then, that the SUV was built too wide and the the manufacturer had not posted enough warnings about hugging the white line?"

You can't be serious...

[musty2u]

Well, ya think maybe the road was too narrow. DOT should have been on top of that. I guess they didn't see that memo.

[richhong]

Route 4 is a very busy highway and a driver does not expect to see pedestrians on it.

Unfortunately, this young man just didn't know the area. People who live around here would not walk on Route 4. It is a HIGHWAY - no traffic lights.

As for the comment that he was on the wrong side: you can't cross Route 4. It has a concrete "Jersey barrier" down the middle. He had to be on Route 4 on the same side as his hotel.

There's no one to blame here - it's just a sad tragedy.

[ladyephesus1]

This happened to a kid where i live that had on his ipod headphones and didnt hear anything when the car honked his horn.
Yes, accidents can happen. sorry it had to be this poor kid. Well, when its our time....its our time.
Rest in peace Jason Ray.

[charnall]

I would just like to say that I knew Jason and some of the inappropriate comments left on this site were very hurtful. I assure you that Jason would NEVER have someone who disliked him enough to run him down with an SUV. Also, he is not an idiot and knows what side of the road to walk on. He was very close to his hotel and I'm sure that is why he was on that side of the road. Accidents happen, he is with God now and happier than all of us who are left here. For those of you who left inappropriate comments, take a lesson from the old adage.."if you can't say something nice, keep your moronic mouth shut."

Thanks