'Beloved' college basketball player tragically killed in hit-and-run accident

By JOE HUTCHISON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 03:42, 20 May 2026 | Updated: 03:42, 20 May 2026 A much loved college basketball player died after being struck in a hit-and-run accident.  Emily Mae Smith, 20, died in the early hours of Saturday morning after being hit in Potsdam, New York, the local police department said.  Officers were called at 3:37am to reports of a pedestrian being struck by a motor vehicle, Smith was found at the scene and transported to hospital where she died. According to officials the suspect vehicle fled the scene immediately after hitting Smith, it was later identified as a black Cadillac Escalade.  Four hours later officers with the department managed to locate the suspect, identified as Jakob D. Krise, 18, and took him into custody.  Police said that Krise was charged with leaving the scene, driving while intoxicated and driving across hazard markings.    Smith was a sophomore business administration major who studied at the State University of New York (SUNY) and played for their basketball team.  Emily Mae Smith, 20, died in the early hours of Saturday morning after being hit in Potsdam Smith was a sophomore business administration major who studied at the State University of New York (SUNY) and played for their basketball team The school's president Dr. Suzanne Smith paid tribute to her saying that she was with her teammates at the time of the crash.  She said: '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. 'Emily was with teammates and friends at the time of the incident, and many more friends, classmates, coaches and supporters joined together with her family while she was at the hospital.  'We mourn Emily's loss as one campus community, and hold her family, friends, and loved ones in our hearts at this difficult time.' Her head coach Brittany Cohen added: 'I am heartbroken by the loss of our captain, Emily. 'She was an extraordinary young woman, beloved by her teammates, coaches and everyone she met.  'Her presence will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this very difficult time.' Smith was found at the scene and transported to hospital where she died Dr. Suzanne Smith paid tribute to her saying that she was with her teammates at the time of the crash The school's director of athletics 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. On behalf of all Potsdam Bears, I send Emily's family our deepest, most heartfelt condolences.' Krise was arraigned in Pierrepont Court and released under probation, he is next back in court on Wednesday with the police investigation continuing.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.