National Basketball Association

NBA top draft Simmons' cousin killed in NJ hit-and-run

Published Jun. 26, 2016 6:05 p.m. ET

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HOBOKEN, N.J. (AP) Family members say the cousin of Ben Simmons, who was picked first by the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA draft, has died after being struck by a car in a New Jersey neighborhood.

Twenty-one-year-old Zachary Simmons died after being struck early Saturday while crossing a street in Hoboken. Authorities say the sport utility vehicle that struck the Ramsey man fled the scene.

The victim's mother, Monique Steele, told WCBS-TV (http://cbsloc.al/28WvJ3R) her son had gone with Simmons to the NBA draft earlier in the week. She said he was walking back from a friend's birthday party when he was struck and killed.

Ben Simmons posted a photo Saturday night on Twitter showing him standing with his cousin. The caption read: ''(hash)ripZacharySimmons.''

Police were still searching for the fleeing vehicle Saturday night.

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