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The William Floyd schools community is mourning the death of a beloved high school basketball coach who died in a car wreck Friday afternoon on Sunrise Highway in Shirley.
Darrell Sumpter, 51, an assistant coach with the Colonials’ boys’ varsity team, was driving a 2002 Cadillac in the westbound left lane of the highway Friday afternoon — about one-and-a-half miles east of Horseblock Road — when the car swerved and struck a 2021 Ford utility truck in the right lane, police said. Both vehicles left the roadway and overturned.
The Shirley grandfather was pronounced dead at the scene, while a passenger in his car, Sumpter’s wife Susan, 48, and the driver of the truck, 52-year-old Jason Troccoli of Lake Ronkonkoma, were hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
“Mr. Sumpter was a proud William Floyd graduate, a longtime community member, a family man, and a highly-regarded coach and mentor for our boys’ and girls’ basketball programs,” the William Floyd School District said in a statement.
Sumpter had been an assistant basketball coach with the boys’ varsity team since 2015 and served many years as a youth sports volunteer.
“Coach Darrell was instrumental in the creation of the WFSD youth basketball program and booster club that has made a difference in the lives of so many boys’ and girls’ student-athletes within our community,” the district said.
His daughter’s ‘right hand’
Sumpter’s daughter Dejiah shared heartbreaking words in a Facebook post Friday night.
“My right hand.. my everything and more. If you know, you know,” she wrote. “I miss you already daddy 
.”
The coach’s daughter Sierra also expressed her love for her dad in a post that included a photo of the two of them and the message, “I love u daddy.”
A third daughter of Sumpter, Lindsey Mae, also expressed her deep sadness in a heartfelt Facebook post.
“If I’ve learned anything it’s that time is a gift,” she wrote. “Don’t waste it because tomorrow isn’t promised to none of us. I’m so grateful (that I know) my dad loved me and my daughter, and we had such a dope bond.”
William Floyd schools said Sumpter’s colleagues and fellow coaches, as well as school social workers, met with the players on the boys’ and girls’ high school teams Friday to share the news of his death. Grief and crisis counselors will be available to students this week and moving forward at the high school.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Sumpter’s family, friends and all of the student-athletes who loved and cared for him,” the district said.
A ‘good human’ and ‘great mentor’
Words of condolences poured into social media, reacting to the death of Sumpter, who is also survived by his son, Darrell Jr.
“Such a terrible loss to the children, district and community. Darrell made an everlasting impact on every kid he ever helped or was helping to succeed,” Catherine Bosco wrote on Facebook.
Donald Wildman Sr. recalled meeting Sumpter years back when Sumpter was an assistant coach in William Floyd’s youth football program.
“Many knew him from his coaching in our basketball program, yet this just shows he was a great mentor to our kids,” Wildman posted on Facebook. “It didn’t matter what sport or life lessons. He was a great person/coach and will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to his wife and kids.
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“Such a good human who shined his light bright,” wrote Tina Fetten. “Sending his family and friends strength during this difficult loss.”
Honoring Coach ‘D’
“Today, we unexpectedly lost the man who made a lot of people’s world go round — my dad,” Dejiah Sumpter wrote on a GoFundMe page established in the coach’s honor to help defray funeral costs and assist with living expenses for his widow. “We are completely heartbroken. The outpour of support for my siblings, mother and family has been unspeakably appreciated.”
“Coach D gave us his all, he deserves a proper goodbye. On behalf of his family and basketball family, thank you all so much,” she added.
More than 470 donations have poured into the fundraiser, totaling over $40,000 as of 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
William Floyd alumnus and Mastic resident PJ Balzer expressed his shock at the loss of Sumpter.
“My heart is heavy for my community this morning who have experienced a tragic, sudden and devastating loss,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “I’m personally reminded once again how fragile this temporary life is and that within a second it can change forever.”
About the children
On his Facebook page over the years, Sumpter was often quick to proudly inform the community of the successes of children in William Floyd youth programs and at the school level.
Top photo: Darrell Sumpter with his daughter Dejiah “Dej” (Facebook).
