California Basketball Coach, 48, Killed in Car Crash While on His Way to Game

John Williams died Saturday after he was involved in the three-car crash that sent several others to local hospitals

A beloved high school basketball coach is being remembered for his bright personality after he was killed in a car crash in Turlock, California, less than an hour before he was expected to help coach a game.

In a release posted to Facebook, the Turlock Police Department said that authorities responded to "to a three-vehicle traffic collision" at W. Christoffersen Parkway and Kilroy Avenue at 4 p.m. local time on Friday.

A 48-year-old man — identified on a GoFundMe campaign as John Williams — died of injuries he sustained in the crash, according to the police. Other occupants involved in the accident were also transported to local hospitals for treatment.

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After attending two other games at different schools in the area earlier that day, Williams was headed to John H. Pitman High School to help as an assistant coach for a girls' basketball game at 5 p.m. that evening, according to The Turlock Journal and ABC affiliate KXTV. He was traveling from Turlock High School when the crash occurred, per KXTV.

“Just going across town to a basketball game on a Saturday, you would never expect something like this to happen," Turlock basketball coach Doug Cornfoot — who worked alongside Williams for more than two decades — told KXTV.

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Williams “was a beloved basketball coach for over 20 years” and “touched the lives of countless athletes and their families,” the Turlock Unified School District said in a statement, according to the Journal.

The father of five, who went by the nickname “Big John,” most recently served as an assistant for both the boys and girls varsity basketball teams.

Cornfoot said his friend was a “great guy” with a big heart, according to CBS affiliate KOVR. “And that was just the personality that he had, he would be the first one there to help you out," he added.

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Cornfoot said his friend was a “great guy” with a big heart, according to CBS affiliate KOVR. “And that was just the personality that he had, he would be the first one there to help you out," he added.

Fellow Turlock basketball coach Rick Fetter compared Williams’ life story to a fairy tale. “His whole coaching career was just one big victory, what he was able to accomplish,” Fetter said, per KXTV.

Kelly Fetter, who organized the GoFundMe campaign for Williams’ family, said the basketball coach “was a larger than life person” as well as “a great friend, amazing coach and he would do anything for his family.”

As of publication Thursday afternoon, more than $60,000 has been raised online to support Williams’ family following his sudden death. A meal train has also been started for Williams’ family.

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Services will be held Saturday at the Turlock Memorial Park and Funeral Home, according to a post on Turlock High School’s Facebook page. Those attending have been asked to wear blue and gold “to celebrate John and his love of the [Turlock High School] Bulldogs.”

Drugs and alcohol did not appear to factor into the collision, according to the police. They are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash “or has video at the time of, or leading up to, the collision” to call (209) 664-7399.

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