Iowa’s Top Rebounder Is Killed in Crash

Chris Street, a 6-foot-8 junior forward who led 14th-ranked Iowa in rebounding, was killed in a traffic accident in Iowa City on Tuesday night, school officials said.

Sports information director George Wine said Street, who would have been 21 on Feb. 2, was returning to campus from a team meal at the Highlander in Iowa City when his car collided with a dump truck with a snow plow about 7 p.m.

“We’re stunned,” Wine said. “We’re in a state of shock.” The Hawkeyes’ game against Northwestern, scheduled for tonight, was postponed.

Wine said that Street, a native of Indianola, Iowa, was returning to the campus for a night class when the accident occurred. He said Street’s girlfriend, Kimberly Vinton, also an Iowa student, was injured in the collision. She was hospitalized and listed in fair condition.

Wine said that, according to police reports, Street’s car was pulling onto Iowa Highway 1 from the Highlander when it was struck by the Johnson County snow plow. The car flipped over and Street, who was driving, was killed outright.

“This is a terrible loss to all of us,” said Bob Bowlsby, Iowa athletic director. “Our deepest sympathy goes to his family and close friends.” Wine said that Iowa Coach Tom Davis wanted to collect his thoughts before making a statement.

Street averaged 9.5 rebounds and 13.5 points as Iowa won 12 of its first 15 games. He had made his last 34 free throws, a school record. In his last game, Street scored 14 points during a 65-56 loss at Duke on Saturday.