YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Authorities say an Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball player and another student were killed in a head-on collision.
The Washtenaw County sheriff’s department says the collision happened at around 1 a.m. Sunday in Ypsilanti Township. It says a vehicle driven by 21-year-old junior forward Shannise Heady veered over the road’s center line, hitting an oncoming vehicle.
Heady, of Hazel Crest, and her passenger, 23-year-old senior Jordan Hopkins, of Dexter, were killed. The other driver was taken to a hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Heady graduated from Hillcrest in 2012.
Heady transferred to the Eastern Michigan in January 2013 from Seton Hall University, in northern New Jersey. She appeared in 22 games for the Eagles last season, averaging 5 points in 14.4 minutes. In 17 games this season, she was averaging 23.2 minutes and 7.9 points.
“Obviously this is one of our toughest days as a program … as we mourn the loss of Shannise,” coach Tory Verdi said in a statement. “We are truly devastated. … Shannise was not only an inspiration to all of us, but she brought energy and liveliness to our team.”
Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon A. Steinbrecher said he “was shocked and saddened to learn of this tragic event.”
