ATLANTA — Friends, family and former coaches are remembering a 26-year-old former high school and college basketball player who was killed in a crash on Interstate 75 involving a woman accused of driving under the influence.
Chandler Jones was killed Friday night after investigators say his car was struck from behind near the Mount Paran Road exit.
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According to an Atlanta police report, Jones was stopped in the gore area near the exit while getting directions on his GPS when a Chevrolet Tahoe crashed into the back of his Honda Accord.
Jones died from his injuries. Police identified the driver of the Tahoe as Amanda Marie Hadden.
According to arrest warrant documents obtained by Channel 2 Action News, investigators accused Hadden of speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs when she struck Jones’ car.
Hadden faces several charges, including first-degree vehicular homicide and DUI.
Channel 2’s Michael Seiden spoke with Marcus Smith, who coached Jones for three years while he played basketball at B.E.S.T. Academy in Atlanta. Smith described Jones as much more than a talented basketball player.
“He was just a model student to everybody he interacted with, and that was a big reflection on his dad and his mom,” Smith said.
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Smith said Jones was the type of young man parents wanted their own children around.
“Chandler is the ideal kid that you would want to be around your kid if you had kids,” Smith said.
After graduating from B.E.S.T. Academy, Jones continued his education and basketball career at Allen University in South Carolina. Smith told Seiden that he remained in contact with his former player even after Jones’ high school basketball career ended.
The 26-year-old’s death has devastated those who knew him as they remember a young man whose impact extended far beyond the basketball court.
Hadden was arrested following the crash. The case remains under investigation.
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