Car crash kills EIU assistant coach

CHARLESTON, Ill., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Eastern Illinois University assistant football coach Jeff Hoover died when his vehicle swerved to miss a deer and rolled over, an EIU statement said Monday.

Hoover was 41.

The accident occurred Saturday just south of Effingham, Ill., as Hoover and his family returned from an EIU game at Southern Illinois, the statement said.

"We are very saddened by the loss of Jeff Hoover," EIU Athletic Director Barbara Burke said. "He was a valuable member of our football staff and was looked up to by the young men in our football program."

Hoover and EIU strength coach Eric Cash and members of their families were returning home after the Panthers' 48-7 loss when the accident occurred, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Two people were released from a hospital and others were held for further observation, the newspaper said.