Stony Brook Cross Country Runner Dies After Being Hit by Car

Noah Farrelly was struck by a van Tuesday morning while running.

Stony Brook cross country runner Noah Farrelly died Thursday afternoon after being hit by a van Tuesday, the school confirmed in an email to students.

"The Stony Brook University campus community is mourning the loss of undergraduate student athlete Noah Bernard Farrelly, who was tragically injured in a motor vehicle accident on the morning of December 4 and passed away this afternoon," the university said. "Noah was an exceptional scholar athlete, coming to Stony Brook from Binghamton, New York as a first semester freshman this year."

Suffolk County Police confirmed to the Press & Sun-Bulletin that the 18-year-old freshman was jogging near campus around 10:50 a.m. Tuesday morning when he was struck by a 2018 Dodge Caravan. Authorities told the newspaper that Farrelly did not have the right of way at the traffic light when he was hit.

Stony Brook Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron confirmed in a statement to Sports Illustrated on Thursday that Farrelly had been under the care of the trauma team at Stony Brook University Hospital.

"This is a devastating loss to all, especially Noah's family, his fellow athletes, coaches and friends," Stony Brook's Dean of Students said. "On behalf of Stony Brook University, I express heartfelt condolences to all who knew and cared for Noah."

As a member of Binghampton High School's cross county and track and field teams, Farrelly was a Southern Tier Athletic Conference All-Star in 2015 and 2017. He finished Stony Brook's season-opening meet at 19 minutes and 34.15 seconds.

A GoFundMe account set up by Farrelly's friends had raised $16,321 by the time of publication. The goal was $10,000.

"He is the nicest, most genuine person you would ever meet; easygoing and friendly, but tough and driven at the same time," Daniel Gahagan, creator of the GoFundMe account, wrote. "He will always shake your hand and congratulate you after a race, and you know he's out there giving it his all every time. His parents Jim and Bridgette are the same way, and they don't deserve to have to go through this alone. Even a small donation can make a difference, we just want to help them out and make this incredibly difficult time a little easier.