One day after scoring his 1,000th career point, Muskingum junior Jarrell Marsh died in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 in Ohio.
According to multiple reports, 20-year-old Marsh was traveling on westbound I-70 near State Route 93 in Zanesville, Ohio, around 1 p.m. Thursday when his vehicle went off the left-hand side of the road, into the median, and overturned. Marsh was reportedly ejected from the vehicle.
The victim in the fatal accident Thursday on I-70 in Muskingum County, 20-year-old Jarrell Marsh, was a student and member of the Muskingum University Basketball team.
— WHIZ News (@WHIZnewscom) December 21, 2017
"Both car and driver landed in the eastbound lanes of I-70," Sgt. Todd Henry of the Ohio State Patrol told the Zaynesville Times Reporter. The eastbound lanes of I-70 were closed for several hours after the accident.
On Wednesday night, Marsh had scored his 1,000th career point as part of a game-high 28-points in the Muskies 84-78 loss to Waynesburg (4-5) in non-conference action. Marsh was averaging 20.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while shooting .453 from the floor and .321 beyond the arc this season.
Marsh, who was a business major, had started 50 of 58 career games for the Muskies including the past 13 in a row. He had led the team in scoring in both of his freshman and sophomore campaigns and was once again leading the way this season. Marsh averaged 17.4 points per game for his career. Last season, Marsh was named to the Ohio Athletic Conference honorable mention team after being named the OAC Freshman of the Year the previous year.
Watch @muskingumhoops @Jam_yung_rell drain a three-point shot in the 2nd half against Waynesburg to reach 1,000 career points. Congratulations on the milestone! pic.twitter.com/6tDSBa8SYc
— Muskingum Athletics (@FightingMuskies) December 21, 2017
The University issued the following tweet Friday morning:
It was with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of Jarrell Marsh, a member of our junior class, in a car accident yesterday. Jarrell was a beloved member of our Muskingum family. Please join us in holding Jarrell's family & friends close in your thoughts & prayers.
— Muskingum University (@MuskingumUniv) December 22, 2017
Marsh's death comes a year and a day after SUNY Geneseo's Savannah Williams was killed shortly after leaving the Upstate New York campus headed home for the holidays. A day before Williams' death, Lancaster Bible's Alyssa Bowen was killed in an accident in Western Maryland.
Here are a sample of some of the reactions on Twitter from schools and conferences in the region:
Sending our heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the family and friends of Jarrell Marsh and the @FightingMuskies community.
— OAC (@OHAthleticConf) December 22, 2017
We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of @FightingMuskies men's basketball player Jarrell Marsh. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the team, the entire Muskingum community and the Marsh family
— BW Sports (@bwathletics) December 22, 2017
The Wabash Basketball Family would like to extend our thoughts & prayers to the family of Jarrell Marsh, Musky Basketball, and the Muskingum University community. Absolutely heartbreaking tragedy.
— Wabash Basketball (@WabashBBall) December 22, 2017
Thoughts and prayers to @FightingMuskies on the passing of men’s basketball standout Jarrell Marsh. We offer heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the entire Muskingum community during this difficult time.
— Mount Union Raiders (@purpleraiders) December 22, 2017
Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to the Muskingum University community upon hearing the loss of men’s basketball player Jerrell Marsh. Gone to young.
— Defiance Athletics (@DC_Athletics) December 22, 2017
Thoughts and prayers to @FightingMuskies on the passing of men’s basketball standout Jarrell Marsh. We offer heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the entire Muskingum community during this difficult time.
— Otterbein Cardinals (@OtterbeinSports) December 22, 2017
Our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers go out to our friends at Muskingum Universuty and its Athletic Department upon hearing the news that men’s basketball player Jarrell Marsh lost his life today. Forever too young.
— John Carroll Sports (@JCUSports) December 22, 2017
We are stunned and saddened to hear of the passing of @FightingMuskies MBB player Jarrell Marsh. Our thoughts are with the Muskingum community and Jarrell's family.
— Heidelberg Athletics (@BergAthletics) December 22, 2017
Marsh, who grew up in Cincinnati, was declared dead at the scene. The accident remains under investigation, but multiple reports indicate a failure to wear a seat belt contributed.
"The state patrol want to remind everyone to wear a safety belt and drive safely," Sgt. Henry told the Zaynesville paper.
We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.