Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson and two other former college football players died in a car crash in Upper Marlboro early Saturday morning, Maryland State Police said.
Jackson, 24, from Waldorf, and Isaiah Hazel, 23, from Upper Marlboro, were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services, while Anthony Lytton, Jr., 24, from Upper Marlboro, was pronounced dead at the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center.
The Vikings picked Jackson in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft after he played cornerback at Alabama for two seasons and finished his college career at Oregon. Jackson, a first-team All-Pac-12 selection by The Associated Press last season after tying for second in the conference with three interceptions, was in the running to earn a starting job at the team’s training camp, which opens later this month in Eagan, Minnesota.
In 2018, Jackson dropped out of Arizona Western College and moved back to Upper Marlboro where he worked in the deli of a local Harris Teeter slicing ham, according to the Vikings’ website. He said he wasn’t sure if he’d play football again, but noticing how embarrassed he felt about dropping out made him realize he wanted to try again. The following year, he went back to school, this time playing football at Fort Scott Community College, and soon moved on to more prestigious teams.
“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.”
We are devastated by the news of Khyree Jackson’s death following an overnight car accident.
Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident.
💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/pkgC4kQtWi
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 6, 2024
Lytton, The Washington Post’s All-Met Defensive Player of the Year in 2017, played for Penn State University after transferring from Florida State University and Hazel played for the University of Maryland and then The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Hazel, a coveted four-star recruit, appeared in 39 games with the Terps, playing receiver before moving to defensive back. He started eight games for the 49ers last season, making 45 tackles, and participated in Maryland’s pro day in College Park in late March.
“The Maryland Football family mourns the passing of former Terp, Isaiah Hazel,” the team posted on social media. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Isaiah’s family, loved ones and everybody involved in last nights tragic accident.”
“We are heartbroken today at the news of Isaiah Hazel’s untimely passing,” Charlotte coach Biff Poggi, a former high school coach at Gilman and St. Frances, said in a statement. “Our program mourns his loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with Isaiah’s family during this tragic time. All of Isaiah’s hopes and dreams were still before him, and I pray that his family is granted strength now more than ever.”
All three men who died played football at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Upper Marlboro. Jackson was a state champion at the school in 2016 and Lytton and Hazel each won three straight titles there from 2015 to 2017.
The school paid tribute to the former players in a social media post, using the hashtag #OnceAPumaAlwaysAPuma.
At around 3:14 a.m., troopers responded to a crash on northbound Route 4/Pennsylvania Avenue and Presidential Parkway north of Dower House Road. Upon investigation, police learned that Cori Clingman, 23, from Upper Marlboro, driving a silver Infiniti Q50 was heading north on Route 4/Pennsylvania Avenue when she tried to switch lanes at a high speed and hit a maroon Dodge Charger and silver Chevrolet Impala. Police believe alcohol was a factor.
The Dodge spun off the right side of the road and hit multiple tree stumps, according to a Maryland State Police news release.
Hazel was driving the Dodge while Jackson was in the passenger seat and Lytton was in the back. The two other passengers in the Infiniti were unhurt, as was Clingman and the driver of the Chevy, police said.
Police said charges might be filed after the investigation is concluded and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office is consulted. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the investigation.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
The Dr. Henry A. Wise Athletic Department sends condolences to the families and mourns the loss of Khyree Jackson (State Champ 2016 c/o '17) Anthony Lytton, Jr. (AJ) (State Champ 2015,16,17 c/o '18) and Isaiah Hazel (State Champ 2015, 16, 17 c/o '19). #OnceAPumaAlwaysAPuma pic.twitter.com/8SsQEgbR0G
— Wise Athletics (@WisePumaSports) July 6, 2024
