Post by "BIGTYME" on Jun 12, 2004 17:39:11 GMT -5
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Duke defensive lineman Micah Harris was killed Friday in a single-car accident on Interstate 85 in Virginia, authorities said Saturday.
Harris, 21, was traveling north when his car ran off the road, struck several trees in the median and burst into flames about two miles north of Warfield, Va., said Sgt. D.S. Carr with the Chesapeake division of the Virginia State Police.
The accident occurred shortly before noon Friday. Witnesses to the accident stopped and tried to help Harris before the car caught fire, Carr said.
"Nobody could get to him in time," he said.
Carr said it was unclear why Harris, a native of Poland, Ohio, ran off the road and into the tree-lined median, which divides the four-lane highway about 25 miles southwest of Petersburg, Va.
But Duke head coach Ted Roof said he was told by authorities that Harris apparently fell asleep at the wheel.
Harris was on his way to visit a friend in Richmond, Va., Roof said during a brief news conference in his office overlooking Wallace Wade Stadium.
"It's a sad day, a big loss for his family and our football family," Roof said in a hushed tone.
Harris, a senior, was a two-year starter for the Blue Devils. Last year, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound defensive end had 32 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles for the Blue Devils, who finished 4-8.
Harris had 124 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks and an interception in his Duke career. He was expected to anchor the defensive line again this season.
The team learned of Harris' death Friday evening after a youth football camp, Roof said.
"I was hoping for the best and hoping that it wasn't true, that it was a mistake," Roof said. "And it wasn't."
Duke coaches then met with about 30 players at Harris' off-campus apartment, which he shared with defensive end David Martin and offensive tackle Jim Moravchik. The players sat in silence before eventually relating fond memories of Harris to help lighten the mood, quarterback Chris Dapolito said.
"The whole night, everybody just kept saying they didn't want to believe it," said Giuseppe Aguanno, a Duke linebacker and close friend to Harris.
"There wasn't a person on the team who didn't like him. He was friends with everybody. Everybody loved him and he put a smile on everybody's face every time you saw him."
Roof remembered Harris as a "high-energy guy" who worked to add bulk to his frame so he could convert from linebacker to defensive lineman.
"I do remember how tough he was," Dapolito said. "His motor never stopped running. He's a scrapper and that's what I loved about him."
Aguanno, who lived in the same apartment complex as Harris, said he last talked to Harris shortly before he left for Virginia after finishing summer classes and a workout.
Aguanno, Dapolito and Harris had planned to take a trip to New York City next weekend. It would have been Harris' first visit there.
"He was just real excited to go," Aguanno said. "He had been talking about it the whole week."
Funeral arrangements have not been finalized, the school said in a news release.
Harris, 21, was traveling north when his car ran off the road, struck several trees in the median and burst into flames about two miles north of Warfield, Va., said Sgt. D.S. Carr with the Chesapeake division of the Virginia State Police.
The accident occurred shortly before noon Friday. Witnesses to the accident stopped and tried to help Harris before the car caught fire, Carr said.
"Nobody could get to him in time," he said.
Carr said it was unclear why Harris, a native of Poland, Ohio, ran off the road and into the tree-lined median, which divides the four-lane highway about 25 miles southwest of Petersburg, Va.
But Duke head coach Ted Roof said he was told by authorities that Harris apparently fell asleep at the wheel.
Harris was on his way to visit a friend in Richmond, Va., Roof said during a brief news conference in his office overlooking Wallace Wade Stadium.
"It's a sad day, a big loss for his family and our football family," Roof said in a hushed tone.
Harris, a senior, was a two-year starter for the Blue Devils. Last year, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound defensive end had 32 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles for the Blue Devils, who finished 4-8.
Harris had 124 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks and an interception in his Duke career. He was expected to anchor the defensive line again this season.
The team learned of Harris' death Friday evening after a youth football camp, Roof said.
"I was hoping for the best and hoping that it wasn't true, that it was a mistake," Roof said. "And it wasn't."
Duke coaches then met with about 30 players at Harris' off-campus apartment, which he shared with defensive end David Martin and offensive tackle Jim Moravchik. The players sat in silence before eventually relating fond memories of Harris to help lighten the mood, quarterback Chris Dapolito said.
"The whole night, everybody just kept saying they didn't want to believe it," said Giuseppe Aguanno, a Duke linebacker and close friend to Harris.
"There wasn't a person on the team who didn't like him. He was friends with everybody. Everybody loved him and he put a smile on everybody's face every time you saw him."
Roof remembered Harris as a "high-energy guy" who worked to add bulk to his frame so he could convert from linebacker to defensive lineman.
"I do remember how tough he was," Dapolito said. "His motor never stopped running. He's a scrapper and that's what I loved about him."
Aguanno, who lived in the same apartment complex as Harris, said he last talked to Harris shortly before he left for Virginia after finishing summer classes and a workout.
Aguanno, Dapolito and Harris had planned to take a trip to New York City next weekend. It would have been Harris' first visit there.
"He was just real excited to go," Aguanno said. "He had been talking about it the whole week."
Funeral arrangements have not been finalized, the school said in a news release.
