[smallguy]

BY BOB KAPPSTATTER and LEO STANDORA
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Joe Klecko

An SUV driven by former Jets star Joe Klecko struck and killed a homeless man pushing a shopping cart on the Major Deegan Expressway last night, police said.
Klecko, the only player ever voted to the Pro Bowl three times at different positions, couldn't see the victim until it was too late because a car in front of him was in the way, they said.

A high-ranking police officer said Klecko stopped his 2005 Chevy Suburban immediately and waited for cops to arrive.

"You can see he was shaken, he's very upset, but he's cooperating fully," he said, adding, "This is a tragic accident."

He said Klecko volunteered for a Breathalyzer test, which showed no alcohol in his system. He was not cited.

The accident occurred about 10 p.m. around 233rd St. near the city line.

The victim, tentatively identified as J. Peterson, 56, was pushing a shopping cart on the southbound shoulder when he suddenly veered onto the roadway in front of a car, investigators said.

They said the car swerved around the man, but Klecko, who was behind it in the same lane, didn't have time to avoid the victim.

Peterson had been released from St. Joseph's Hospital in Yonkers earlier in the day, police said. It was unclear why he was hospitalized.

Klecko, who with defensive mates Mark Gastineau and Marty Lyons terrorized NFL teams in the the 1970s and '80s as the Sack Exchange, was voted to the Pro Bowl as a defensive end, defensive tackle and nose tackle. The Jets retired his No. 73 last year

[Jetsfan115]

damn. that sucks. i feel bad for klecko. i know it wans't his fault but its somehting he has to live with for the rest of his life now. its sad for the guy that was hit to cause i doubt he expected to get hit and killed

[Chadforpresidentin08]

Too bad, he killed a man on accident and can;t go in the hall even though he should. We still ove you #73!

[reg83ny]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Former New York Jets player Joe Klecko accidentally hit and killed a man while driving on the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx, police said Tuesday.

The 51-year-old Klecko was heading south at about 8:30 p.m. Monday in a 2005 Chevy Suburban when he struck the man, who was pushing a grocery cart, police said.

Ray Peterson, 65, was pronounced dead at the scene. No charges were filed.

Klecko was a defensive end for the Jets from 1977-87 and finished his career with the Indianapolis Colts in 1988. He was a member of the heralded New York Sack Exchange, the Jets' dominant defensive front that included Mark Gastineau and Marty Lyons.

[Jetsfan115]

repost. time to merge topics