We’re having a horrific blizzard here in Central Illinois, which has made it very difficult to cover this story of the car wreck involving Jamar Smith and Brian Carlwell. I can’t even get out of my driveway and the wind and blowing snow has made driving dangerous, indeed.
That said, here’s the latest on the incident at 5:30 p.m. (Central time). And because of early press times at the newspaper, it’s probably the last version of the story I’ll get to file tonight.
By MARK TUPPER
H&R Executive Sports Editor
CHAMPAIGN – The string of grim news that seems to have haunted the University of Illinois men’s basketball season took a frightening turn late Monday night when two players were involved in a one-car wreck.
Brian Carlwell, a 19-year-old freshman from Maywood, was admitted to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana in critical condition with a severe concussion. Carlwell’s condition was upgraded to serious by Tuesday afternoon and he remained hospitalized Tuesday night.
Jamar Smith, a 19-year-old sophomore from Peoria, was treated and released for minor injuries that included a concussion.
Smith was driving the car in which Carlwell was a passenger when the north-bound car crossed the center line near the 2000 block of South First Street in Champaign and struck a tree. The wreck occurred between 11:30 and 11:45 p.m., Monday during snowy conditions.
Smith was charged with improper lane usage and a university spokesman said an investigation into the incident was ongoing and additional charges were possible.
WCIA television in Champaign interviewed a witness who said police were called after Smith’s badly damaged car was seen at his apartment complex in Savoy shortly after the time of the accident. The witness said police and rescue personnel arrived at the apartment complex and found Carlwell still inside the vehicle.
It took rescue personnel about 15 minutes to extricate Carlwell from the vehicle before he could be transported to the hospital, the witness said.
On Monday afternoon, Illinois Director of Athletics Ron Guenther issued this statement:
“Certainly our thoughts are on the health and recovery of our two student-athletes and in supporting Coach (Bruce) Weber and our basketball program,” Guenther said.
“We will issue any updates should there be a change in the condition of the two players.”
Weber and team trainer Al Martindale were at the hospital with the two players throughout the night. Weber did not leave until 5:30 a.m., when doctors felt Carlwell had made some improvement.
The Illini team had practiced Monday evening but is off this week before returning to action Sunday afternoon for a home game against Northwestern.
Smith, who has averaged 8.1 points, has been trying to break out of a lengthy shooting slump following two sprained ankles.
Carlwell, who attended Proviso East High School in suburban Chicago, is averaging 1.7 points in a reserve roll.
A university spokesman said Weber had cancelled today’s media press conference, but would likely have a statement on the incident today. “His concern has been with the health of the players and with their families,” the spokesman said.
This is the latest in a string of incidents that have hung like a cloud over the Illini team this season.
The season began with senior guard Rich McBride serving a four-game suspension for a DUI arrest.
Then came a string of injuries that has included surgeries for Brian Randle, Rich Semrau and Marcus Arnold in addition to injuries that have cost practice and playing time for Smith, Chester Frazier and Shaun Pruitt.
February 13th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Brian and his family. I’m sure we’re all hoping for a full and complete recovery.
I’m not one to make excuses, but this season sure seems to be snake bitten. What’s next, locust?
February 13th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Why do I have this sick feeling that we haven’t heard the end of this? Something just isn’t adding up. The Basketball program, Coach Weber, and Ron Guenther need to get a quick grip and a measure of control over these boys. Burglaries, DUI’s, and now an accident with a suspicious ending that might have killed a team member? Since when did the Illini move to Miami? I’m sorry to say that the early reports are asking many more questions than they are answering. I pray for Brians’ recovery.
February 13th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
I don’t know JS personally, but I haven’t cared for some of his antics on the court this yr and now I know I don’t care for some of his off-court conduct either. I was not surprised to hear it was him involved in last night’s mishap. Praying for BC#21. JS might need a call from Luther Head.
February 13th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
I’m getting that same feeling Chief
February 13th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
To the moran who posted above me, way to take a tragic situation to purport an agenda of pure filth. The only fitting end to your “situation” is to end up the tragic victim of a hit and run in these blizzard conditions. Then we can say how if posters spent more time worrying about themselves than casting stones at others they wouldn’t be in harms way so much.
February 13th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Alway’s more to the story, isn’t there.
I was young once, but I can’t beleive I’d ever flee from an accident, in a car that was barely driveable and with my friend -in VERY BAD SHAPE - still stuck inside.
NOT GOOD!!!
Regardless, I am hopeful for Brian’s recovery.
February 13th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
To those making attacks on others regarding “class” I’d recommend dropping it. It suits no one to get all worked up about it.
The issues at hand are Carlwell getting healthy and finding out the real story on what all occurred. I’ve yet to hear where and when the police finally met with Smith.
So many questions.
February 14th, 2007 at 2:30 am
all i can say is “seat belt, seat belt.” The next time I will bless you with my advice is “no smoking ”
i love you , but, you,re stupid,
GOD
February 14th, 2007 at 8:33 am
We probably all have more questions than answers about the accident after reading Tupp’s column, but could we hold off on the stone-throwing until after all the facts are known?
#3: I don’t know what on-court antics you’re referring to, Mr. Mike, perhaps it’s Jamar’s passion for the game that bothers you? His energy level? Nothing I’ve seen or heard from Jamar would leave me to believe that he’s anything but a good kid.
As the parent of three young adults, I can say with first-hand knowledge that good kids do stupid things. That doesn’t make them bad kids.
#6: We can all say we’d do this or that, but none of us know what we’d do in that situation until it happens to us. Add in the fact that Jamar had a head injury, and I think we can all agree that it is likely he wasn’t thinking clearly.
Let’s let the police sort out the facts, and regardless of the outcome, pray for both Jamar and Brian’s recovery and healing.
The team needs the Illini Nation’s support during these trying times; they’ll be plenty of others lining up to pass judgment. Trust Bruce and staff to deal with this situation appropriately. There’s plenty of basketball left to be played, let’s hope something good comes out of this accident, and the team is able to focus on the task at hand. I would think that that is what Brian Carlwell would want them to do.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:32 am
I think we’ll all be better off keeping our speculating to ourselves. Just wait a few days and all the facts will come out. In the mean time, I see no reason to assume that Jamar (operating with a concussion himself) would do anything but what he thought was in the best interest of his injured friend and teammate.
I also agree that this season sure seems to be be snakebitten. Injuries, off the court issues, and the inability to get a break or hit a crucial shot in any significant game, sure make you wonder who made who mad. It is possible, though, that the clouds might still clear, and the sun may still shine, even before this season is over.
February 14th, 2007 at 9:40 am
I will be very interested to hear more of Jamar’s side of the story on this situation. The one thing in advance you might be able to say about his actions after the crash is that, although apparently not as severe as Brian’s, he also suffered a concussion. That can sometimes lead you to behave strangely.
February 14th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Wait just one minute Xavier, I cannot speak for you but I have suffered a severe trauma to the head resulting in a concussion. Let me tell you that when this happens you cannot think straight nor can you generally remember what has occurred or caused such an injury. Your brain goes into damage control on its own. Shock is the end result, thus a possible explanation to why he may have reacted the way he did by somehow making it to his safety zone, his home!!! Let’s not be so quick to judge Jamar until all facts have been gathered and evaluated. I do not believe for one minute that Jamar intentionally or with malice commited something unlawful or immoral!!!! Anyone who suggests that is even a remote possibility without any proof to substaniate innuendo needs to have their brain or lack of one examined. I for one choose to support Jamar and Brian rather than think there must always be more to the story than what is reported. Mr. McDaniel I understand that the National Enquire is always looking for a reporter, factual information not required. Sounds right up your alley!!
Get well soon JAMAR & BRIAN!!!
February 14th, 2007 at 10:51 am
heytex #5 - What a totally stupid post. If you aren’t astute enough to know better than to leave the scene of an injury accident, you should not be driving. There are some of these kids who should be handed their walking papers. I do hope and pray that Carlwell recovers and is able to resume normal activities soon. It looks like egregious behavior isn’t confined to 4 and 5-stars.
February 14th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Jamar Smith is a class kid all the way. A good friend of mine taught him in school and says that when she sees him now he is super respectful and nice. What is #2 talking about? Issues that came up years ago and until facts are in this is just a car accident in blizzard conditions.
February 14th, 2007 at 11:14 am
I agree, it’s premature to speculate on what did or didn’t occur on Monday night. If there were mistakes made, discipline will be handed out. And even if these boys did something wrong, they’ll still need our support after being disciplined. That’s what family does. You don’t disown kids for doing something stupid. Look at what happened because Bruce Weber showed Luther Head support when he messed up. Luther went on to be a model college player and team leader and now has a successful professional career. Imagine what might have happened to Luther if he would have quit the Illini program after that incident. It’s possible that he could have went back to the inner city of Chicago and became just another sad statistic. Bruce Weber is a good man and knows how to discipline and support his players. He’s probably an excellent dad to his own kids as well.
February 14th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
http://www.dailyillini.com/
update
11 am Wednesday
February 14th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Great article on former Illini star Frank Williams in the Peoria Journal-Star today. The piece describes the depression that Frank went through after his mother died and how he is making his comeback in the NBA Development League. The article can be found at: http://www.pjstar.com/stories/021407/ILL_BCCL8DGK.072.php
February 14th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
It’s sad that two players get hurt in a car accident and the first thing that some people can do is post conspiracy theories on this blog. Get a life. Go somewhere else. #2 and #3 posters are PATHETIC!!!!! Lets blame Weber and Guenther for a car accident in bad weather conditions. Give me a break. Become a Hoosier fan. You will have plenty of shady things to observe over there with Samscum leading the way.
Our prayers should go out to Brian and Jamar. Believe it or not, their are more important things in life than basketball. Hearing that Weber spent the night at the hospital just shows once again what a classy coach we have. Think Samscum, Coach K, etc. would have stayed all night long to be with one of there bench players? Probably not.
February 14th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
How typical is it that the usual gang of idiots who regularly foul this message board with their petty anti-Weber and anti-Illini rants are the ones piling innuendo and insults on the immediate post-crash actions of Jamar Smith, the victim, a person with a severe head injury, who is obviously in shock and traumatized?
Oh, if it were only possible for me to reach through the internets to the basements where these mouth-breathing know-it-alls lurk, tapping out their moranic drivel–what a smack upside their heads I’d deliver!
With their ears still ringing and eyeballs spinning, they’d be able to more fairly test their jusgement against Jamar Smith’s. Would they call the police to report the cyber assault, or go howling for Mom?
But that’s a fantasy, unfortunately. Instead, let’s all try and agree on two things: we should pray for the speedy recovery of our players, and hold off passing judgements until the complete report from the authorities is available.
February 14th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I’m willing to bet most college coaches of any sport would go to the hospital and stay there to visit their players.
February 14th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Goods news on Brian. Appears he’s now fair, and will be released in a few days. Also, says his basketball career should not be impaired.
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/02/14/sports/doc45d25554c2396063176805.txt
February 14th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
With all this talk of fleeing the scene of the accident, I wonder how the real victim is doing: the tree (sw). Really, what’s the point of freezing to death waiting around for authorities?
Whatever the citiations JS receives, he did the right thing (after deciding to collide with a tree) as they both got the medical attention they needed. When life is at stake the end justifies the means.
February 14th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
To #18 all I can say is you must have a lot of trouble reading and comprehending the English Language. Nobody is BLAMING anyone. In particular, Coach Weber. I still have a sick feeling and am frankly concerned when the State’s Attorney said that more charges could be forthcoming. That’s not a conspiracy and it’s no theory. It was a simple quote. To #19, I stand by my comments and I’m certainly no regular as this was my first post. My only question to you big FANS is…How many are actual alumni???
February 14th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I’ve got three words for everyone accusing Jamar of wrong-doing without any real evidence…”John L. Smith”
February 14th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Possible that he didn’t have a cell phone and needed to get to a place where he could assuredly make a call.
February 14th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
The most important thing is that Brian gets better-period.
However, those who say we should not speculate don’t udnerstand this board much do they? Almost everything said on here is PURE speculation.
What are you homers going to do if they find Jamar did something REALLY wrong?? Are you going to apologize for him as well?? We are supposed to put more faith and trust in BAM??
Again, regardless of whether Jamar did something wrong or not, BAM hasn’t proved he can coach, recruit or run a clean and disciplined program. I would say his apologists need to stop and think about that for a second.
February 14th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
#23- You don’t have to be an alumni of the school to be a fan. I graduated in 96, but even if I didn’t, it wouldn’t make me any less of a fan. That is a poor excuse. That is like a pro athlete saying you have no right to criticize their game if you never played the game. Ridiculous.
Right now, the health of these two guys is all that is important. No one knows the facts. It’s all speculation. If you are a true fan and alumni, then shame on you for thinking the worst. Weber and Guenther are class acts and have done nothing to deserve your immediate criticism. Ever think that maybe since he lived down the road and had no phone, he might have driven home so he could get help right away. Lets wait to throw stones until after the facts come out.
February 14th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Having been in a couple of accidents myself, I can tell you that the behavior of Jamar Smith is not unusual; concussions are no laughing matter, your brain just does not function normally after such trauma.
Having said that, I will not be surprised if alcohol (or even some contraband) is deemed to be involved. and to be honest, I would not attempt to pass judgment on the young fellas; I do recall doing similar, if not worse things, when I was in school.
Finally, although I am a proud member of the “negative” or “pessimist” camp on this forum, I would not tolerate anyone trying to take shots at Weber over this… Criticize his coaching and recruiting, but when it comes to things like this, there is only so much a HC can do to mentor and guide a pack of young men.
Go Illini
February 14th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Xavier,
I was ready to blow off the usual insipid or moronic comments on this blog…but yours really set me off. As for speculation, speak for yoursel. Almost everything YOU say in this board is pure speculation….you are all talk, with nothing to ever back up your comments!
What are we going to do IF Jamar did something wrong? Let BAM and the University handle it, and keep cheering for the Illini. What are you going to do? Start a website advocating he be kicked off the team? Or will you skip that and go straightto the lynching? You, X-Man, are a joke….as well as all of your ridiculous comments. Either you have lived an error free life…highly unlikely….or you just love to toss stones from your glass house….very likely!
As for your comments about Coach Weber:
“We are supposed to put more faith and trust in BAM?? …BAM hasn’t proved he can coach, recruit or run a clean and disciplined program.”
Where do you get off?!?! I will issue the same challenge to you that I issused to D I F on 3 different occasions: Put up or SHUT UP! If you have any facts regarding an “un-clean” BAM program, throw them out….or else leave this board and go back to your video games and MTV.
I won’t even waste space addressing your ridulous “coach and recruit” comments. This is supposed to be a time for pulling together and supporting the team in a rough period. But you and your ilk live such pathetic little lives that you can’t resist taking shots at every opportunity. Why don’t you do us all a favor and go over to the Illini Board with all the cynics, conspiracy theorists, and other wack jobs. You’ll be doing all of us a favor, especially Tim Cain, who has to peruse your worthless scribble.
February 14th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
#26- Xavier. You are right on one thing. Most of the bloggers on here, especially you, post alot of crap that is truly pure speculation. No facts to back anything up. Get rid of Weber. Get rid of Guenther. Yet, do any of you have a solution? No. Who is available who would be better than Weber?
Weber can’t coach? How idiotic. Look at his record at both SIU and Illinois. Only Duke has had more wins over the previous 3 years than Illinois. Countless injuries this year, yet we are still in the hunt to make the tourney. What am I missing about Weber not being able to coach?
Recruiting? Next year will tell more. Lets see who he gets in the 08 class before we pass judgement. You can’t blame Weber for losing Scheyer, Gordon, or Rose. Scheyer was never coming here, Gordon was only coming here because of his distaste for Mike Davis, and Rose wanted to be guaranteed a starting position as a freshman. Self is a great recruiter, but a lousy coach. He continues to have early exits in the tourney. I’ll take Weber any day.
Discipline? Weber has always proved himself to be a very disciplined coach. Is he suppose to babysit these kids 24/7? The only thing I have disagreed with him on is his decision to keep McBride after the DUI. I would have kicked him off the team, but he gave Head the same chance after the whole burglary thing and look at him now. That gamble paid off. I am a lifelong Illini fan and alumni, and I often criticize the players, etc. You are more than entitled to have your own opinion, but back it up with some facts and a solution. Disgusted always posts on here about how awful Guenther is, but never backs it up with any facts or a solution. I expect more out of you Xavier.
Go Illini!
February 14th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
And while I’m venting, I have a little for Marlin -#13. We mostly agree on things, but you are way off base today. Must be all that snow you are getting in Michigan. You said:
“If you aren’t astute enough to know better than to leave the scene of an injury accident, you should not be driving. There are some of these kids who should be handed their walking papers.”
You have obviously not ever suffered a concussion, or know anyone who has, or you would have tempered your comments. Jamar WAS TREATED AND RELEASED AFTER SUFFERING A CONCUSSION…not after being treated for a hangnail! He probably had no idea what he was doing. When I was a student at U of I, I slipped and hit my head on the ice around 4th and Chalmers. To this day, I have no recollection of walking back to my residence hall near 2nd and Gregory, much less how I found my way to my room. I wound up spending the night at McKinely Health Center with a concussion.
NFL quarterbacks who have had their bell rung…essentially, a concussion…play the rest of the series, and don’t remember it afterwards. With a concussion, your mind reverts back to “pre-programmed commands”…which is why Jamar was able to drive back to his apt…his mind was probably on “auto-pilot”. Maybe a more medical blogger can clarify my comments.
Anyway, to say that he should have known better is not only unfair to Jamar, it is casting stones before his version of events have come out. Either way…tsk, tsk.
February 14th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Lots of speculation and speculation about speculation here. Personally, I find it hard to believe that Jamar Smith or anyone would leave a wounded friend in a car where he might freeze to death unless his judgment were severely impaired. Clearly, a concussion could cause such impairment. Beyond that, it is best to avoid any further speculation in any direction in the absence of facts. How any of this has any connection to how good a coach or recruiter Bruce Weber is is beyond my UIUC-trained mind to understand.
Let’s hope both young men fully recover soon.
February 14th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
I’m an uninterested third-party in this (i.e., I’m not an Illini backer or hater). This is obviously a horrible situation; however, how can people actually justify J. Smith driving to his apartment AND LEAVING HIS SEVERELY INJURED TEAMMATE AND FRIEND IN THE CAR!?
Those of you clamoring that others are speculating Smith did something wrong - what are your facts to indicate he was acting properly? All we have now is speculation - clearly the Illini backers will think good, while the haters will think bad.
And as for my take, I think a reasonable possibility is that Smith drove to his apartment intending to remove Carlwell himself once he arrived. Once he was unable to do so, he may have went inside to call the cops but, given his head injury, may have either passed out or simply forgot all about the incident.
Again, the only strange thing about this incident was Smith leaving Carlwell in the car. However, I’m hoping the above speculation proves to be true; frankly, I don’t know why else he would have.
February 14th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Rob-#33….You, um, may recall a little detail in Mark’s report above…”It took rescue personnel about 15 minutes to extricate Carlwell from the vehicle”.
So…just maybe….if it took skilled rescue personnel 15 minutes to get him out…just MAYBE, Jamar was not able to get him out by himself. And maybe, just maybe, why “people actually justify J. Smith driving to his apartment AND LEAVING HIS SEVERELY INJURED TEAMMATE AND FRIEND IN THE CAR!?” Is that justification for you, Dick Tracy?
Rob, in the future, please consider that reading is a skill, and reading comprehension is something my 12-year old does on a regular basis.
Thanks for your keen insight……
February 14th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
so, were they wearing seat belts? that’ll determine stupid vs. stupid
February 14th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Rob #33, you are a moron. Please read the entire post before making a fool of yourself. Failing that, please pose a scenario in which Jamar could have gotten Brian out of the car by himself when the same process took trained professionals 15 minutes to do so.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Something stinks about all of this. The autjorities are suspicious, so why can’t anyone else be? Drugs, alchohol, who knows what was going on. It will all come out soon, but don;t criticize people for exercising their right to comment on the known facts. This is America. Nobody is going to jail unless there is good reason.
February 15th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Jake #22 - How could you possibly know?
February 15th, 2007 at 11:06 am
brooks #30 - You chastise X for pure speculation, yet in your #27 post you say, “Ever think that maybe since he lived down the road and had no phone, he might have driven home so he could get helpo right away.”
Is that not speculation? The FACT (as reported by Tupps) is that he left the scene of an injury accident (period) end of discussion.
Algonquin #34 - Any mor maybe’s you care to throw out there? Another maybe for YOU - MAYBE you don’t really know what happened either…..
Seitz #36 -Who’s the moron for not reading the entire post? It seems to me Rob, in fact, posed a very real scenario for Smith not being able to remove Carlwell from the car. And for acting the way he did. Just as plausible as anyone else’s.
February 15th, 2007 at 11:09 am
Paul #10 - Excellent post. I must agree in total.