Durham police have secured felony warrants against Joseph Savarino, 26, the grandson of former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, in connection with an April 18 crash that killed a 15-year-old bicyclist. The teenager, identified by family as Jack O'Shea, was riding on Cole Mill Road near W. Wyndham Lane when he was hit and later pronounced dead at the scene. Savarino was first charged with driving while impaired after a breath test registered 0.11, but investigators have now moved to pursue more serious charges.
Felony warrants escalate case
Durham police say they have obtained warrants charging Savarino with felony death by motor vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and failure to reduce speed, and that investigators are also pursuing driving-while-impaired counts, according to WRAL. The shift from a misdemeanor DWI to a slate of felony counts marks a significant escalation in the case.
Timeline of the crash and testing
Authorities say the crash happened just before 9 p.m. on April 18, when a Ford Explorer driven by Savarino struck the teen as he rode an electric bicycle northwest on Cole Mill Road near W. Wyndham Lane. Public records show Savarino's breath test around 12:45 a.m. registered 0.11%, and a judge set his bail at $100,000, according to The News & Observer. Court records indicate he posted bond, and the investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Community grief for teen victim
The boy's family identified him as Jack O'Shea and shared a post describing what they called his "last perfect day" before the crash. Cardinal Gibbons High School and the broader community have held memorial services and offered counseling support, ABC11 reports. Friends and teammates remembered O'Shea as a student-athlete who played both baseball and basketball.
Coach K family ties keep spotlight on case
The case has drawn added attention because Savarino is part of Krzyzewski's extended family. Public records show his brother Michael pleaded guilty to a DWI in 2022 and received probation. Local reporting notes both men are sons of Krzyzewski's daughter, a detail that has kept focus on the family as the legal process moves forward, according to The News & Observer.
How the charges stack up
Under North Carolina law, felony death by vehicle is prosecuted under G.S. 20-141.4 and is classified as a Class D felony, according to the North Carolina General Assembly. Involuntary manslaughter is defined in Chapter 14 as a Class F felony, per the North Carolina General Assembly. The newly obtained warrants clear the way for prosecutors to pursue felony charges in Durham County court as investigators continue gathering evidence and interviews.
