Posted on 07/06/2024 12:50:09 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson and two former college football players were killed in a car crash overnight, according to Maryland State Police. Jackson was 24.
Jackson died after a three-car crash that occurred at 3:14 a.m. Saturday in Prince George's County, according to police. Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr. -- the two former players who were high school teammates of Jackson's -- were also killed in the crash, police said.
Hazel, 23, played at Maryland and Charlotte, while Lytton, 24, played at Florida State and Penn State.
Police said Hazel was driving a Dodge Charger with Jackson in the passenger seat when their car was struck by an Infiniti Q50 attempting to change lanes at a high speed. The Charger left the road and struck multiple tree stumps.
According to police, Jackson and Hazel were pronounced dead at the scene, while Lytton was transported to a hospital before being pronounced dead by hospital personnel.
Neither the driver of the Infiniti Q50 nor her two passengers or the driver of the third vehicle was injured. Investigators believe alcohol may have played a role in the crash, police said, adding that charges are pending.
Jackson was selected by the Vikings in the fourth round of this year's draft and had been considered a contender to start at cornerback.
"We are devastated by the news of Khyree Jackson's death following an overnight car accident," the Vikings said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with Khyree's family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident."
Jackson played his final season of college football at Oregon, and Ducks coach Dan Lanning was among those paying tribute to Jackson on social media.
Maryland and Charlotte coach Biff Poggi both mourned Hazel's death on social media, as did Penn State for Lytton.
Jackson was an all-Pac-12 first-team selection for Oregon in 2023. Before joining the Ducks, he played two seasons at Alabama under coach Nick Saban.
"I am absolutely crushed by this news," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said in a statement. "Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team. His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him. In our short time together, it was evident Khyree was going to develop into a tremendous professional football player, but what was more impressive was his desire to become the best person he could be for his family and those around him. I am at a loss for words. My heart goes out to Khyree's family, friends, teammates and coaches."
Jackson became an instant favorite among Vikings fans after he described his long journey from high school to the NFL draft. Speaking to Minnesota reporters after the draft, he said he was a non-qualifier after graduating from Wise High School in Maryland in 2017. He spent time at three junior colleges while taking two seasons away from the game before landing at Alabama in 2021.
During that interim, he said, he worked in the deli at a Harris Teeter grocery store and at one point won an award for employee of the month. "I told my mom and one point in time, 'I guess I'm about to be working at a grocery store,'" Jackson said. Later he gave serious thought to joining the NBA 2K league.
"When I ended up leaving my first junior college," he said, "I was home for about six months, but I told my friends that I was still in school. I stayed at my house for six straight months and nobody knew. It was kind of eating away at me, and then I finally just eventually told my friends. That moment really told me, like, man, if I was embarrassed to even tell them, I might want to get out and try to do it again instead of sitting here and sulking."
Of his journey to Power 5 football and eventually the NFL, Jackson said he had no regrets.
"I wouldn't change it for the world, though," he said. "I feel like it taught me a lot of perseverance. It helped turn me into the man that I am today. I feel like I don't take no shortcuts. I take everything for what it is and don't really question too many things. I feel like that mentality came from juco and being at the bottom and seeing what it's like to not have anything to having everything going to some of the top programs."
Before I read it I said to myself “Dodge Charger or Challenger “
No surprise.
They didn’t cause the accident.....
So, you blame the victim? You should have said to yourself Infiniti.
So the moral of the story is alcohol makes you invincible and the sober ones get hurt/killed? I think I’m staying home at 3:00AM instead of out catting around on the drunk infested highways.
If possible, I advise people not to drive between midnight and 5 AM for this very reason.
Sad. He came a long way and had a good attitude.
But - like somebody said:
Stay away from goofy people,
Stay away from goofy places,
Don’t be out at goofy times.
3:14am. Just saying ...
Maybe not, but there seems to be important context missing from the article. I suspect multiple cars, likely involving the one carrying the football players as well, street racing. I could certainly be wrong, of course, but just a hunch based upon what I see everyday. It’s rare to get on a highway these days without seeing multiple cars chasing each other at ridiculously high speed through traffic. And most nights, I hear them racing on nearby side streets. Also a ton of crashes caused by them.
Some of this has always occurred, naturally, but ever since the “defund the police” madness this behavior has exploded, as has crime in general.
Nothing good happens after midnight.
So sad.
Which vehicle was traveling at high speed, the Dodge or the Infinity?
I have a rule. If you are going to force me into an accident you will be part of that accident.
Maybe both?
I was sound asleep at 3:14 am
Outside the home.
An important modifier. I’ve had great moments at home after midnight.
Only bad things happen to people out on the road at 3 A.M..
Sadly, as lesson NEVER taught nor, if it is, learned...
True, both could have been driving too fast. But it’s interesting that apparently the Dodge went out of control, and had three fatalities, while the Infinity had no injuries. I know I’ve been passed by Dodge Charger that were easily running 120 mph or higher.
In a few days Khyree’s name will no longer be on the Khyron.
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