State police are looking for the person who hit and killed a former college basketball player near Interstate 430. Investigators found 22 year old Jonathan Uchendu's body near the southbound lanes and Shackleford early Sunday morning.
"He brought so much joy in the 22 years he was here, he really did," says Janet Uchendu, Jonathan’s mother. Now Uchendu's family is grieving. "It's been devastating, very devastating. We are learning to cope with it," says his father, Ogugua Uchendu.
His parents say Uchendu was likely on his way home from a Halloween party when it happened. "We think he struck out walking. He would walk from downtown to here; he figured he was in great shape. I think he thought okay, I'll just walk home," says Janet Uchendu.
After gathering evidence from the scene, state police say investigators are looking for a Nissan, possibly an Altima.
Uchendu played high school basketball at Pulaski Robinson, then college basketball for Purdue before coming back to play for UALR but he never saw the Trojans court. Uchendu's parents tell us their son just signed a contract to play for an NBA developmental league.
"We need closure. If this was an accident, we need the person to come forward. If anyone knows anything, we need them to come forward. If it was intentional, it's still in God's hands and I believe they won't rest until they come forward. It's hard to take, but we're a strong family and we believe in God and this is in God's hands," says Janet Uchendu.
If you have any information, you’re asked to call Arkansas State Police at 501-618-8000.
