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Former Chamberlain Athlete 1 Of 2 Motorcyclists Killed This Weekend

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By BILL WARD and VALERIE KALFRIN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 30, 2008

Updated: 06/30/2008 07:06 pm

TAMPA - A former Chamberlain High basketball player and a 22-year-old Tampa man died in motorcycle crashes over the weekend, officials said.

Arius Fayson, 26, died late Saturday after crashing his 2007 Honda motorcycle into the back of a sport utility vehicle on Interstate 75 north of Fletcher Avenue. The impact flung the former Chamberlain High basketball player into the vehicle's rear window, forcing rescue workers to cut into the wreckage to free him and the motorcycle, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

In a separate crash shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday, Quinton Daniel Smith died about 50 feet west of the Pinellas-Hillsborough County line when he lost control of his 2007 Suzuki, according to Clearwater city officials.

Smith, 22, had been doing stunts on his motorcycle with another motorcyclist when he smashed into the barrier wall and slid along the wall into a light pole, officials said. The other motorcycle driver continued into Tampa without stopping; Clearwater police still are investigating the crash.

Attempts to reach Smith's family were unsuccessful Monday.

Fayson's younger brother, Jarred, a former Hillsborough quarterback, flew home from the University of Illinois after hearing about the crash. Jarred Fayson is sitting out this coming season after his transfer from the University of Florida.

"He always used to say life was good," Jarred Fayson said. "He was a real positive, upbeat, likable person. He'd always brighten up your day when he came around."

Jarred Fayson said his brother was a co-owner of a pizza store and had recently begun a car-detailing business.

Arius Fayson's coach, Doug Aplin, said he remembers the district title his former player helped the Chiefs win.

"It was the '99 district finals against Gaither and he hit two free throws with just a few seconds left in overtime to win it for us by two points," Aplin said. "He may not have been the athlete his brother was as far as speed, but he had a knack for knowing how to play the game."

Funeral services for Fayson will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Buelah Baptist Institutional Church in Tampa.

Reporter Bill Ward can be reached at wward@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7456.

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