Photo: GoFundMe page for the Jones Family
(Louisville, Kentucky) -- Tragic news out of Kentucky connected to a future Iowa Hawkeye.
The father of 2023 Iowa Women's basketball commit Ava Jones of Kansas has died after he and his family were hit by a carTuesday evening while walking in downtown Louisville.
The Jefferson County Coroner's Office said 42-year-old William "Trey" Arthur Jones III died Thursday from injuries sustained from the crash, which occurred about 8 p.m. Tuesday at Second and Market streets.
Ava Jones, her parents, Amy and Trey Jones, and her younger brother were struck by a car while visiting Louisville for the Run 4 Roses Classic, a tournament held at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Ava and her parents were taken to University of Louisville Hospital, while her younger brother was treated for "minor injuries" at Norton Children's Hospital, Louisville Police spokesperson Beth Ruoff said. As of Friday afternoon, University of Louisville Hospital said Ava and Amy Jones remain in critical condition.
Louisville Police arrested 33-year-old Michael Hurley of Lexington, Indiana in connection to the crash. After Trey Jones' death, police said the Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney Office charged Hurley with one count of murder in addition to earlier charges: four counts of first-degree assault, driving under the influence and a license possession violation.
Hurley's arrest citation says he was turning left off Market to head north on Second when his car left the road and hit the four pedestrians. Alcohol was not listed as a factor in the crash, but LMPD said Hurley told officers he had taken hydrocodone and was "so tired that he could not make the turn."
Hurley pleaded not guilty to his earlier charges Wednesday during an arraignment hearing and had his bond set at $500,000. A public defender was appointed to represent him.
The Jones family is from Nickerson, Kansas, a town of nearly 1,000 residents that is roughly 60 miles northwest of Wichita. Trey Jones taught woodworking at Nickerson High School and was its head track and field coach. His wife is the assistant superintendent for Nickerson USD 309.
The No. 83 girls basketball prospect in the country on ESPNW's 2023 class rankings, Ava Jones committed to Iowa on Sunday, July 3rd. As a junior this past season at Nickerson High School, the 6-foot-2 forward averaged 20.8 points, 15.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game while helping her team finish fourth in the Kansas Class 3A state tournament. She is also a member of the Panthers' track and field and volleyball teams.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up by Natalie Martin of Nickerson, Kansas and it's been shared by Hawkeye coaches and we have the link below. So far as of this writing, the page has raised almost $53,000 dollars in just over a day--and it continues to climb by the hour.
If you would like to donate to help Ava, her mother Amy, and the Jones family with their medical expenses, click here: Go Fund Me.