Chris Street
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I was home quietly minding my own business, re-reading one of the Foundation trilogy, when a teaser came on TV mentioning, without giving any details, that a Hawkeye had been involved in an accident, more at ten. Somehow, I just knew it was Chris and my heart just sank. Like so many Hawk fans, I will never forget that evening.
Was living in Springfield, MO at the time going to school and working at the hotel bar. Went home and turned on the tv to check out sports scores and saw the ESPN ticker and couldn’t believe was I was reading. I kept thinking there is no way, had to be a mistake. It was 2 am so couldn’t call anyone and didn’t have social media to find out more. Just sat there dazed and confused for a couple hours. It was such a terrible and helpless feeling.
Phone call. Then news, then a couple of days of work creating something for the funeral. Hardest part, walking from pulpit area, down the middle aisle, family in first row after the memorial/tribute video with a collection of photos and video from infancy to final game…tasked w/hitting play on the recorder. It was hard to look at them, and impossible not to
He was pretty athletic
I don't exactly remember how I heard it.
But I had worked at the Highlander a few years before and had made the same turn out of the lot probably a couple hundred times. Usually when tired and bleary from classes, the job, and lateness of hour.
So, however I heard of it my experience seemed to only heighten how grotesquely unfair this outcome was for Chris, his family, and the State.
Just, unfair. What else can you say ...
But I had worked at the Highlander a few years before and had made the same turn out of the lot probably a couple hundred times. Usually when tired and bleary from classes, the job, and lateness of hour.
So, however I heard of it my experience seemed to only heighten how grotesquely unfair this outcome was for Chris, his family, and the State.
Just, unfair. What else can you say ...
They always show the Michigan game and make a big deal about it to the point where some might assume that was the first game after his death. Mich St game was so much better in my opinion. On the road at Mich St and playing like you would expect them to in those circumstances. Then all of a sudden, the switch turns on.
Does anyone know if BTN will be replaying the doc overnight? The Twolves are in town so I'm gonna go see Garza hopefully get some minutes. Fox Sports site still has the NW game and nothing about the Street doc on their "full events schedule". Hopefully it will be on youtube
BTN is showing it several times tonight, including I thought at 3:30 am or so. They also now show the first airing at 8pm CT.
If I recall correctly, there may have been a bit of an optical illusion apparent to Chris, the driver. It was a Johnson County snow plow that hit him and I think, double check me on this, that the blade was up off of the road as the snow plow driver was traveling north on Hwy1.
It could have looked, at a glance, like the oncoming vehicle was further away than what it really was based on the head lights above the plow blade, etc. I don't remember it being road condition related...at the time of the accident. I think there was the threat of snow/ice, but it hadn't started yet.
Again, don't quote me, many years have passed, but that is what I recall. Still sad about it all these years later.
This is so good but so tough to watch.
Gary Close ... Tom Davis ... raw emotion .... still.
Didn't know or forgot that his Girlfriend was in the car with him.
And I just can't imagine going through what the Streets have gone through.... Devastating
And I just can't imagine going through what the Streets have gone through.... Devastating
I had no idea that the lights on the Johnson County snow plows used to be high up, which made the plows seem further away. It makes sense that Chris would think it was safe to pull out
Didn't know the Streets sued as a result, either
Didn't know the Streets sued as a result, either
Onions......
Well, done BTN, well done.....
His legacy lives forever
Well, done BTN, well done.....
His legacy lives forever
I'm not crying, you're crying! 😭
Very well done documentary. What a tragic loss.
Very well done documentary. What a tragic loss.
the stories & the raw emotion, 30 years later, really really hits you
I'm young, and I only answered correct on a question about a free throw record at an Iowa basketball camp @ Buena Vista University in 1999, but I teared up the most I have since my dad passed in 2019.
Crying like a baby. I'm going to fight bar to hug people.
My brother and I were going to school together in Iowa City when he got sick and passed away. He was 20, the same age that Chris Street was. The hurt never goes away.
They sued for clarity not for money
In the trial, his girlfriend also said Chris was looking at her when he pulled out and likely hadn't even seen the plow coming (or something to that effect). The defense basically acknowledged that was a major contributing factor in Chris bearing full responsibility.
I remember I didn't learn about the crash until the next morning, maybe Sioux City didn't have all the news yet or more likely I just didn't stay up for the sports that night. The next morning my dad told us and I remember just being numb but not emotional because of the shock. I was in 7th grade and first period at school in Reading class we had a test and in the middle it hit me and I just burst into tears. I can still picture the tears falling on the paper. My teacher told me I could finish it later if I wanted, but I composed myself and finished it. But it's one of those moments I can remember vividly 30 years later.
Really well done documentary. I was at the 20th anniversary game against Wisconsin and remember getting a big lead, watching it evaporate, and then pulling it out, and that Eric May dunk they showed bringing down the house.
My dog stayed right with me during the program felt my anxiety and grief
Pretty crazy that they were able to have the snow plow driver on. Completely understand him declining interviews previously.
Didn't say a lot, but he added that he has pain over that tragic day, but nothing like the Street family.
Didn't say a lot, but he added that he has pain over that tragic day, but nothing like the Street family.
I don't disagree that they sued for clarity. The Streets wanted the cause of the accident to come out. And they also sued for millions, correct? I believe that was disclosed. And neither of us, obviously, are condemning the Streets. If Johnson Country were negligent, they should have had to pay.
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I had left Iowa a few years earlier, and wasn't able to follow them really closely. Not only was Chris one of the best 4s to put on an Iowa uniform, that team was one of the best teams ever at Iowa. I had forgotten the players on that team and how good they were.
Can't even begin to imagine what Chris' parents have gone through. How did they make it through that Michigan game less than 2 weeks later?
I'm sure Chris is on their minds a lot anyway, but everytime you go to Carver... Everytime you watch an Iowa Bball game...
An unfulfilled promising young life. Not just basketball career. Ugh 😩
I'm sure Chris is on their minds a lot anyway, but everytime you go to Carver... Everytime you watch an Iowa Bball game...
An unfulfilled promising young life. Not just basketball career. Ugh 😩
That team, with Street, was probably Elite 8 level. With some luck? Maybe a Final Four.
Wade lookingbill always reminded me of Kevin Boyle for you old timers out there
