KTVN Channel 2 sports director JK Metzker dies in accident; arrest made

UPDATED: Sad news to report today. KTVN-TV in Reno confirms that Channel 2 News Sports Director JK Metzker died this afternoon from injuries he suffered after being struck by a vehicle. The accident happened on North Virginia Street near 17th Street at 11:50pm last night following the University of Nevada Wolf Pack football game.
JK was crossing North Virginia Street when he was struck by a vehicle that the Reno Police Department says fled the scene. Thanks to witness descriptions, the vehicle was located a short time later by a Washoe County Sheriff's Deputy. Police have arrested a suspect, 23-year-old Ryan Joseph Rhea of Sparks, for a felony count of hit-and-run causing death.
The accident is still being investigated by the Reno Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Team. Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call the Reno Police Department at 334-2141.

JK was part of the Channel 2 News family for nearly 14 years. He leaves behind his wife, Jaimie, and three young sons Tommy, Tanner and Luke.
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Nevada football coach Chris Ault called Metzker’s death, “a tragic loss.”
“As a sports journalist, JK was smart, talented and a professional,” Ault said. “But more than that, he was a good man who was dedicated to his family. He will be missed.”

Cary Groth, Nevada’s athletic director, said Metzker was a good reporter and a consummate professional.
“He never got caught in the drama. He just did a fair job reporting and he always did the right thing,” she said in a Reno Gazette-Journal story. “He was part of our Wolf Pack family, and he was our friend. We’re going to miss him.”
As much as she admired Metzker as a reporter, Groth said she admired the man as well.
“We liked seeing J.K. You know, he always had such a beautiful smile and he was such an approachable guy,” she said. “And he was such a good dad. He always brought his three boys to all the different events. My heart and the heart of the Wolf Pack Athletics Department goes out to his family.”

If you'd like to share your condolences, you can post them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/metzkerfamily or mail them to the Metzker family in care of KTVN-TV, 4925 Energy Way, Reno, NV 89502. When a memorial fund is established, KTVN will make that information available.