ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State's Don Meyer, tops on the NCAA win list among active men's basketball coaches, had his left leg amputated below the knee after a car accident.

School officials said Friday that Meyer felt a sense of relief after making the decision. Meyer's leg was severely injured when his car collided with a semi on Sept. 5.

Meyer is second on the NCAA's all-time victory list (891) in men's basketball behind Bobby Knight.

The Highway Patrol said Meyer either fell asleep or was distracted when his car crossed the center line. His was the first of several vehicles carrying the Division II basketball team to a hunting lodge. Meyer was the only one injured, and the accident remains under investigation.

The 63-year-old Meyer was diagnosed with a slow-growing cancer in his liver and bowels, which doctors said they might not have been found had he not been injured.