Beloved LI Assistant Basketball Coach Dies In Suffolk Crash: District

SHIRLEY, NY — The beloved assistant coach of the William Floyd High School varsity boys basketball team died Friday in a tragic crash, the district said in a statement Saturday.

"It is with heavy hearts that the William Floyd School District confirms that boys’ varsity assistant basketball coach Darrell Sumpter passed away Friday afternoon in a motor vehicle crash on Sunrise Highway," the district said.

"Mr. Sumpter was a proud William Floyd graduate, a longtime community member, a family man, and a highly-regarded coach and mentor for our boys’ and girls’ basketball programs. He served as an assistant basketball coach on the boys’ varsity team since 2015, and as a volunteer for the youth of the community for many years before that. Coach Darrell was instrumental in the creation of the WFSD youth basketball program and booster club that has made a difference in the lives of so many boys’ and girls’ student-athletes within our community."

According to Suffolk County police, the crash took place at 1:37 p.m. on Sunrise Highway, 1.5 miles east of Horseblock Road in Shirley.

Sumpter, 51,of Shirley, was driving a 2002 Cadillac westbound in the left lane of Sunrise Highway when the vehicle swerved and struck a 2021 Ford utility truck traveling in the right lane, police said. Both vehicles left the roadway and overturned, police said.

Sumpter was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The passenger in the Cadillac, a 48-year-old Shirley woman, and the driver of the Ford, a 52-year-old Lake Ronkonkoma man, were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Colleagues, fellow coaches and social workers met with the boys' and girls' teams yesterday to share the tragic news, the district said. The district will continue to have grief and crisis counselors available for any students who may need them.

"Members of the William Floyd school community have also reached out to the Sumpter family and will continue to offer any support that is needed in the coming days and weeks," the district said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Sumpter’s family, friends, and all of the student-athletes who loved and cared for him."

No charges were filed in the crash, police said. The vehicles were impounded for a safety check. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8552.