Ex-JFK athlete dies in accident in Columbus
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A former Warren JFK multi-sport athlete died after being hit by a motorist on Wednesday in Columbus, according to a report by the Columbus Dispatch.
Sarosh Sheth, 21, graduated from JFK in 2023, where he was a standout varsity soccer player and kicker for the Eagles' football team. Sheth was a neuroscience major at Ohio State and the son of Drs. Sanjay and Ramona Sheth, of Warren.
Eagles head coach Damon Buente, who was an assistant coach at the time Sheth played football for JFK, confirmed Sheth's passing.
"The Warren JFK football community is devastated by the gut-wrenching news of Sarosh Sheth's passing," Buente said in a statement. "I am at a loss of words to describe how his former teammates, coaches, administrators, classmates and teachers feel upon learning of this unspeakable tragedy. But I can and will say this -- Sarosh Sheth embodied everything it meant to be a Warren JFK Eagle through and through. Sarosh believed in family, faith, humility, drive, chivalry, service and empathy."
As a kicker, Sheth earned All-State honors twice during his high school career and he played a vital role for the JFK football teams that won three straight regional titles and played for two Division VII state championships.
On the soccer field, Sheth played in 12 games for the Eagles as a defender and midfielder during his senior season in 2022, scoring one goal and recording two assists, according to MaxPreps.
"I had the privilege of coaching him as an assistant in 2022. Sarosh was a critical piece of our locker room because he was never too high, never too low," Buente said. "He carried an unbreakable smile to our program daily. Having Sarosh in our program added a rock solid example to younger Eagles of how to treat others and how to channel true bravery. Let's not forget, Sarosh was a soccer kid primarily, and still wanted to kick for us after an ACL tear. That took guts. That showed all Kennedy Eagles to fight, rest and fight some more."
Liberty football head coach Dom Prologo, who also coached Sheth during his tenure with the Eagles before stepping down from the school in 2023, echoed Buente's comments.
"My heart aches hearing the news of Sarosh's passing," Prologo said in a statement. "He was an incredible young man and such a big part of the Kennedy family. He epitomized everything you would want in a young man with such a bright future."
Prologo said he remembered how coaches and teammates always playfully referred to Sheth as "Yoshi."
"He brought joy to our entire program," Prologo said. "He was a fantastic student and a tremendous athlete in football, as well as soccer. He had tremendous pride in playing for and representing the 'K.' We are keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers in this unimaginable and tragic time."
The report by the Dispatch said Sheth was one of two pedestrians struck by a vehicle in Columbus' Weinland Park at around 2:40 p.m. First responders took him to Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The second pedestrian, a 52-year-old man from Columbus' Near East Side was taken to OSU's Wexner Medical Center in critical condition, according to the report.
Columbus police said the 21-year-old male driver from Mishawaka, Indiana, ran a red light with his 2001 Ford Mustang and struck the two pedestrians before landing the vehicle on top of a parked car, according to the Dispatch. The vehicle sped through an intersection, went off the road and hit Sheth and the 52-year-old man, who were walking on the sidewalk.
The Mustang then entered a grocery store parking lot, where it hit an occupied parking Chevrolet Malibu. The impact caused the Malibu to hit two unoccupied parking vehicles before the Mustang came to rest atop the Malibu, according to the Dispatch.
The Dispatch reported that the driver of the Mustang was treated at the scene of the accident by first responders and then arrested. As of Friday, he had not been taken to Franklin County jail or charged with a crime, per the report.
NBC 4 WCMH-TV reported that Columbus police suspect alcohol or drugs may have played a factor in the accident.
"Simply put, the world would be a better place if more folks carried themselves like Sarosh Sheth," Buente said. "Together, we grieve collectively and we pray for him and his family in their time of need."