CSU basketball player fatally struck by car during illegal street race, authorities say
The death of Columbus State University basketball player Anthony Moore happened during an illegal street race on Christmas Eve, according to the Phenix City Police Department.
On Dec. 24, police officers responded to State Docks Road and Industrial Drive in reference to a drag racing complaint. Officers found Moore, 25, lying on the shoulder of the roadway.
“The victim was deceased,” police said in a news release Tuesday.
The police department’s preliminary investigation revealed Moore was hit by a vehicle that was involved in an illegal street race, police said.
“The vehicle that struck Mr. Moore was not present,” the release says, “but had left the scene.”
Moore was a spectator at the race, Phenix City police Capt. Darryl Williams told the Ledger-Enquirer.
Moore was pronounced dead at 8:50 p.m., Russell County coroner Arthur Sumbry told the Ledger-Enquirer. His body was taken to Montgomery for an autopsy. The report isn’t finalized, but the preliminary investigation shows he died from blunt-force trauma, Sumbry said.
In a written statement on its website, CSU athletics director Todd Reeser called Moore “an outstanding player for our men’s basketball team, but more importantly, he was a caring father, a terrific teammate, and a developing leader on and off the court. His welcoming smile and upbeat attitude will be missed by all who knew him.”
Moore was on track to graduate in the spring, Reeser said.
“We ask all Cougar fans to keep Ant’s family, including his coaches and teammates, in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” he said.
Moore played for Central High School and Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City before he joined the Cougars.
Police ask anyone with information about this case to call the department at 334- 298-0611, 334-448-2813 or 334-448-2819.
This story was originally published December 28, 2021 at 2:27 PM.
