Virginia College Baseball Player Dies at 19 After Crashing His Car Near School Stadium
NEED TO KNOW
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Virginia student dies following single-vehicle crash
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In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the Radford University baseball team identified the deceased as Joey Raccuia.
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The athlete was a right-handed infielder and pitcher at the time of his death.
A University of Virginia freshman has died after being involved in a fatal car crash this week.
On Thursday, February 26, the Radford University baseball team confirmed via social media that player Joey Raccuia had been killed. He was 19 years old.
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“We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Joey Raccuia. Joey’s impact on our team, this community and all the lives he touched went far beyond the field of play, and we miss him deeply,” we read on Instagram.
A school spokesperson also confirmed his death to PEOPLE.
PEOPLE was unable to immediately reach the Radford Police Department for comment.
Joey Raccuia
Credit: Radford Athletics
The right-handed infielder and pitcher was the son of former Radford University head baseball coach Joe Raccuia, The Roanoke Times reported.
According to the media outlet, the fatal single-vehicle incident took place on Wednesday, February 25 around 11:20 a.m. on East Main Street, not far from the Radford baseball stadium.
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Although first responders provided medical assistance, Raccuia was pronounced dead at the scene, the news outlet added.
Before attending Radford University, Raccuia was a student at PDG Academy in high school, according to his athletic profile on the university’s website.
He appeared in two of Radford’s first seven games, making one start, Penn Live Patriot-News reported.
Joey Raccuia
Credit: Radford Athletics
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The cause of the accident is still under investigation. No additional details have been released. However, anyone with information regarding the fatal collision is asked to call Captain JL Slaughter at 540-267-3711, by The Roanoke Times.
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The Radford University baseball team’s next game is scheduled for Friday, February 27 against the Bryant University Bulldogs.
Read the original article on People
