Family Of Man Killed In Elevator Malfunction Raises Money For Basketball Program In His Memory

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The family of a man killed in a tragic elevator accident is raising money to start a basketball program in his memory.

Sam Waisbren was crushed to death nearly two weeks ago when an elevator malfunctioned at his Kips Bay apartment building.

The 30-year-old from Wisconsin loved basketball and played on a team started by his dad when he was nine years old.

Now, his family is raising money for a program that will give kids from different backgrounds the opportunity to play.

"Everyone loved Sam. He was so kind and carefree and humorous. It's really a testament to him," said his father Charles Waisbren.

As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, a GoFundMe page had nearly $68,000 of the $100,000 goal.

Waisbren's neighbors told CBS2 there were problems with the building's elevators for months. His family plans to sue the building's owner.

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