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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.
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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