Son Of Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery Convicted In Crosswalk Collision

A judge ruled on Tuesday that a North Liberty teen failed to yield to a pedestrian jogger, who he hit in a marked crosswalk in Iowa City.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that the judge ruled that Jack McCaffery, the son of Iowa men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery, "did not comply with the common law requirements under the circumstances." Jack McCaffery was 16 years old at the time of the accident, which occurred at the crosswalk at Melrose Avenue and Kennedy Parkway in Iowa City. McCaffery's vehicle struck 45-year-old Corey Hite of Cedar Rapids. The Iowa National Guard soldier later died from his injuries.

The Gazette reports that the court found that due to vehicles blocking McCaffery's view, he was unable to stop or avoid hitting Hite once he appeared in the roadway. However, the judge stated that McCaffery should have slowed down or stopped to make sure there were no pedestrians in the traffic lane. According to the Gazette, three witnesses in last month's trial said McCaffery didn't slow down until his vehicle hit Hite, sending him flying into the air.

Get our free mobile app

McCaffery was found guilty of failure to yield to a pedestrian's right of way. According to the Gazette, Iowa law allows for an enhancement of this misdemeanor when it results in a death. That includes a $1,000 fine and a suspension of a driver's license for up to 180 days, or both. Sentencing is set for October 13th in Johnson County. McCaffery waived his personal appearance at the trial.