A Hollister resident and founder of the popular Basketball Jones basketball camps died in a vehicle accident Monday night, according to authorities.
The accident occurred shortly before 9 p.m. Monday when Gene J. Cotter, 44, was driving a van on Lucy Brown Lane. His vehicle entered Highway 156 and struck a Chevy Silverado truck, confirmed Capt. Eric Taylor with the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office.
Cotter was killed in the accident, according to Taylor, whose office is the county coroner. The California Highway Patrol took the report, but a CHP spokesman was not immediately available Monday morning for further details. Taylor was unaware of any other injuries, but could confirm “pretty significant damage” to the pickup truck as well.
Taylor, like many locals, knew Cotter well because the accident victim was actively involved in the local sports scene. Cotter’s Facebook page shows him with his family, including a young son and daughter.
According to the Basketball Jones Hoop Camps website, Cotter was an all-state basketball player, played at Holy Names University on a scholarship, and coached at the high school and college levels.
His basketball camps, which routinely sold out, have taken place in Hollister, Gilroy and Morgan Hill along with other places in the region such as San Jose and Napa.
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