UNC student's death nets charges

A New Jersey father and son are accused of lying to investigators about what really happened

Two New Jersey men face serious charges after authorities say they lied to cover up their roles in a car accident that killed a UNC student at last year's NCAA tournament in the Meadowlands.

Jason Ray, 21, who dressed as the school mascot, died when he was hit by a sport utility vehicle while walking back to a hotel from a convenience store last March. The Tar Heels were in the New Jersey Meadowlands to play Southern California in the Sweet 16 round the night Ray died.

Armen Hovsepian, 25, of 222 Howland Ave. in Paramus, N.J., is charged with one count each of driving while license suspended resulting in death and hindering apprehension. Gagik Hovsepyan, 52, also of 222 Howland Ave. in Paramus, was charged with one count each of hindering apprehension, obstructing the administration of law and making a false statement under oath.

Initially, police were told Hovsepyan was driving and his son, Hovsepian, was a passenger in the Mercury Mountaineer. A witness came forward, saying Hovsepian was seen getting out of the car from its driver's side. Hovsepian had a suspended license.

Ray family members said they had been skeptical of the driver's story all along. "We always thought it was something weird about the explanation about what's happened," said Emmitt Ray II of Davidson, one of Jason Ray's three older brothers. "We were glad to hear at least that the truth has come out."

Emmitt Ray II said his family received phone calls Thursday night from New Jersey authorities informing them of the arrests. He said he was told information received from the two men did not hold up.

"They were told that the son was asleep in the passenger seat," he said. "And they were only supposed to be traveling a short route. Through a bunch of different ways, the story didn't hold up."

The father was released from jail Friday morning on $10,000 bond. His son remained in the Bergen County jail Friday night.

Emmitt Ray II said his family has established the Jason Kendall Ray Foundation, dedicated to promoting community service and education, among other things.

His parents, Charlotte and Emmitt Ray Sr. of Concord, have been all over the country talking about Jason and his impact on those who knew him. Jason Ray's organs also helped saved lives, as documented by ESPN in the show "Ray of Hope."

"[Jason's death] is still hard on them every day," Emmitt Ray II said Friday night. "They're still just devastated. [The arrests] stir all the emotions back up for everyone. They say time heals all wounds, but it's not been enough time. We're all just trying to get through."

(Cleve R. Wootson Jr. of The Charlotte Observer contributed to this report.)