In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Khyree Jackson, a promising young NFL player, tragically lost his life in a car accident.
According to Daily Mail, an early Saturday morning crash in Upper Marlboro, Maryland claimed the lives of new Minnesota Vikings' recruit Khyree Jackson, aged 24, and two of his high school friends.
Khyree Jackson, who was recently drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round, died following a severe multi-car accident. The incident also took the lives of two of Jackson's former high school teammates, Anthony Lytton Jr. and Isaiah Hazel.
Hailing from a close-knit athletic background, Jackson had a promising future ahead of him in professional football, having played for Oregon Ducks and Alabama Crimson Tide before being picked 108th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The tragedy struck when a silver Infinity, driven by Cori Clingman at high speeds, switched lanes and collided with the Dodge Charger that Jackson, Lytton, and Hazel were traveling in. The impact caused their car to veer off the road and crash into tree stops.
While Jackson and Hazel were declared dead at the scene of the accident, Lytton succumbed to his injuries later in a nearby hospital. Remarkably, no other passengers incurred injuries despite the severity of the accident.
The local Maryland police disclosed their suspicions that alcohol might have played a role in the accident and are currently investigating further.
According to Ebbony Jackson, Khyree's mother, she was informed about her son's demise early Saturday. She shared, "I received a call about his death in the early hours of Saturday morning," depicting the suddenness and shock of the tragedy.
Kevin O’Connell, the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, expressed his distress. He said, "I am crushed by this news. 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."
The Minnesota Vikings issued a statement lamenting the loss, noting how the incident not only affected the families involved but extended to teammates and friends across the sports and local communities.
Additional tributes rolled in from various corners of the sports world. The Reese's Senior Bowl and Dr. Henry A. Wise Athletic Department each sent out condolences, underlining Jackson's impact both on and off the field. Meanwhile, Rob Griffin III and former coach Dan Lanning shared their grief over the news, emphasizing Jackson's stellar personality and his bright, albeit short-lived, career.
The UMD also expressed sorrow over the loss of former Terp, Isaiah Hazel, further illustrating the widespread mourning triggered by this calamitous event.
The fatal accident in Upper Marlboro has robbed the sports world of a young talent who had just started his professional journey. The Minnesota Vikings and the entire football community continue to come to terms with the untimely loss of Khyree Jackson, a remarkable individual who was much loved by his peers and destined for greatness on the field. This tragedy has also reignited concerns over road safety and the potentially devastating consequences of negligent driving.
