Booker T. Washington High School Jazz Student Found Dead In Austin

James Dante Kings, who was either 17 or 19 (we've got conflicting reports...) and a member of Booker T. Washington's Latin Jazz Ensemble, was found dead on I-35 in Austin last night at around 2 a.m. after what authorities believe was a hit-and-run. According to a report by ABC CBS-affiliate...

By Pete Freedman

March 28, 2008

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James Dante Kings, who was either 17 or 19 (we've got conflicting reports...) and a member of Booker T. Washington's Latin Jazz Ensemble, was found dead on I-35 in Austin last night at around 2 a.m. after what authorities believe was a hit-and-run.

According to a report by ~~ABC~~ CBS-affiliate KEYE in Austin, witnesses "saw a person lying on the southbound lanes on the lower deck of 2600 N. I-35...When passerbys stopped to assist the person, they discovered he was dead."

Dallas' FOX 4 adds to that, reporting that Kings was in Austin on a field trip with 24 fellow student musicians to perform in a concert. The FOX 4 report also notes: "It's not clear how Kings was able to leave the students' hotel without supervision."

Sad news, for sure. You've got to feel sad for King's family and fellow students right now.

But we don't get it, either, FOX 4. What was Kings doing on I-35 so late at night? Was he alone? Where were the supervisors?

I get the feeling we'll hear more about this matter by the time Monday rolls around. -- Pete Freedman

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