Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson was among three people killed after another vehicle “traveling at a high rate of speed” struck the car he was in, Maryland police said. He was 24.
The crash happened shortly before 3:15 a.m. Saturday in Prince George’s County and involved a total of three vehicles, state police said in a news release.
Jackson was sitting in the front passenger seat of a maroon Dodge Charger and was traveling with two other people identified as Isaiah Hazel, 23, and Anthony Lytton, 24.
Hazel, the driver, and Jackson died at the scene, police said. Lytton was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The crash happened after a silver Infiniti traveling northbound on Route 4 attempted to change lanes, the news release said. Police said the driver, identified as Cori Clingman, was “driving at a high rate of speed” and struck the Charger before colliding with a Chevrolet Impala.
The force of the impact caused the Charger to leave the road and hit several tree stumps before coming to a stop.
Clingman, 23, and two other passengers in the Infiniti were not injured, police said. The Impala driver was also uninjured and declined medical treatment at the scene.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said he was “absolutely devastated” by the news of Jackson’s death and was “at a loss for words.”
“Khyree brought an infectious energy to our facility and our team,” O’Connell said in a statement. statement posted on X. “His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him. In our short time together, it was clear that Khyree would become a formidable professional soccer player, but what was more impressive was his desire to become the best person he could be for his family and those around him.”
The Vikings said they were “devastated” by his death.
“Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident,” the team wrote on X.
Jackson, a native of Upper Marlboro, Md., was selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft by the Vikings in April. He was a starting cornerback at the University of Oregon.
Further tributes continued to pour in on Saturday.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Khyree’s passing. Khyree had an extremely bright future ahead of him as a player, and it was clear that he was committed to being a great person who made a positive difference in people’s lives,” Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said in a statement.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said Jackson was “taking steps to become the best version of himself” and that his “personality captivated every room he was in”.
“I am devastated that his life and everything he had ahead of him was cut short,” Adofo-Mensah said in a statement.
Ducks head coach Dan Lanning wrote on X: RIP Khyree… I love you @Real_Khyree. I’m at a loss for words. I’ll miss your smile. A great player, a better person.
“The NFL family is deeply saddened and devastated by the passing of Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson,” the NFL wrote on X. “Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, loved ones and everyone involved in this tragic accident.”
Investigators said they believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the crash and charges are pending.
This is a developing story. Please check back regularly for updates.
News Source : www.nbcnews.com
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