(WXYZ) — Michigan State Basketball Star Cassius Winston posted a tribute to his younger brother, Zachary, on Instagram early Monday morning.
Zachary died after being hit by a train late Saturday in Albion.
The post reads: "Ima put this on here cause I need you to read it, and I feel like this the best way for it to get to you. I love you bro, w everything I have in my entire body. I love you so much, if I could carry yo pain I would wear it on my shoulders just to see you happy and wouldn’t think twice. I understand it was to much, I understand I really do and yo story won’t end here. I can promise you that, the next time I run into someone in your situation ima save them, cause that’s wha you would want me to do. I wish it was a term that goes deeper then brother, cause that’s what’s you are to me, 1/3 of my heart. And I’m struggling because there is nothing that can replace that Smoothie. I need you, I miss you. But I’m so proud of you, bro you fought every demon w everything you had in you. You went to war w yourself every single day not knowing if you could win that battle. And you won time after time. You stood tall and you let your family love you, you gave me everything I asked for, just one day you didn’t have enough strength. And that’s ok man, that’s really ok, ppl can’t go through wha you went through, you are the strongest, wisest, kindest, most caring person. The best brother/ gang member I could ever ask for. And I wouldn’t replace you or change any single thing about you. Not one. I don’t like doing these cause I feel like they for show, but I need to you to read this Smoothie and I need you to know, that I love you and I care for you. And the only reason I can sit here and still stand is because I know you not in no more pain. The only reason I’m still standing. After that bro we really got beef, and when I see you again I’m beating yo ass. Cause it’s no way you got me out here trying to adjust to life w out you bro. This shit so deep bro we suppose to see all this out together. But we’ll have that convo the next time I see you Smoothie Bean. Rest up my baby and keep watching over us, save me a seat. And when it’s all said and done ima have so much to tell you. You gone already know but ima tell you anyway. Love you Gang member🖤 wish your story coulda had a diff ending, it’s ok tho enjoy it up there. Ima see you soon enough #LuvSmoothie🖤"
MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo offered condolences to the Winston family Sunday saying, "Our hearts are filled with sorrow for the Winston family. Their pain over the sudden loss of Zachary is unimaginable. It's impossible to find the right words in this moment, other than to say that we will support the family in whatever way they need."
The Michigan State BTN Twitter account also posted a video of Zachary, Cassius and their brother Khy, who is a freshman at Albion. The video was captured in Octoberas Michigan State hosted Albion for an exhibition.
Zachary, middle, and brother Khy were in East Lansing late last month, as Michigan State hosted Albion for an exhibition.
— Michigan St. on BTN (@MichiganStOnBTN) November 10, 2019
Our thoughts are with the entire Winston family. pic.twitter.com/gARkTaf3BB
The Albion Department of Public Safety confirmed that the 19-year-old Albion College student was hit by an Amtrak train traveling westbound around 8:30 p.m. In a Facebook post, the public safety department says Zachary intentionally walked in front of the train.
The collision happened at a pedestrian crossing. Although the public safety department has not released the name of the student, Albion Police Chief Scott Kipp confirms the student was Zachary Winston.
Albion College President Mauri Ditzler released a statement on Zachary's death.
This is an ongoing investigation.
