Teenager on e-bike hit and killed in Durham, Krzyzewski's grandson charged with DWI
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Durham community is mourning the loss of a 15-year-old Cardinal Gibbons freshman killed by a driver who police say was impaired. That suspect, Joseph Savarino, is the grandson of longtime Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Savarino, 26, faces a DWI charge.
The deadly crash happened just before 9 p.m. on Saturday at Cole Mill Road and West Wyndham Lane, just outside the Whitehall community.
The victim's family identified him as Jack O'Shea, who was a freshman on the baseball and basketball teams at Cardinal Gibbons.
According to Durham police, just before 9 p.m., Jack was riding an e-bike northwest on Cole Mill Road when he entered the path of a Ford Explorer traveling in the same direction. Investigators say Savarino struck the teen, killing him.
In a statement, the school said counselors and members of the spiritual life team would be available in the chapel, spiritual center, and college counseling offices to support students and staff as they process the loss.
The school also shared a message from Jack's family, saying his final day was "a beautiful reflection of who he was."
They said he began the morning by going to confession on his own, played in two baseball games, and ended the day doing what he loved most, which was riding his bike.
Ollie Jeffers, who represents the Durham chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said stories like this in the Bull City and elsewhere are a reminder that cases like this are all too common.
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"I don't think anybody's exempt. I think it could happen to anybody. I mean, you know, anybody we've seen that," Jeffers said. "We're seeing, we're seeing celebrities. We're seeing everybody now. It seems to be doing it doing that. You know, doing what they want to do."
It's also the second DWI case in Krzyzewski's family. Savarino's brother, Michael, who was a walk-on basketball player for Duke, was charged with DWI in 2022 and sentenced to 12 months' probation.
"This is nothing new. There's nothing new," Jeffers said. "And I would like to be at a point where we can talk about, discuss something else, discuss the fact that people are sad and enjoying the weather and having a good time riding their bikes, and the only thing other than having to discuss someone's being injured or killed by an impaired driver."
Jack's mother posted a tribute on Facebook, writing in part: "We will never understand why his time here was so short or why he was needed so soon, but we have to hold on to our faith that he is now our angel. We are better because of him, and we will carry him with us always."
Cardinal Gibbons said memorial services will be held on Friday afternoon.
Savarino's bail was set at $100,000, and he has since bonded out.
Anyone with further information about the crash is asked to call Officer D. Monroe at (919) 257-1189 or CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200.
