Minnesota Vikings’ rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson was among three people killed after another vehicle “traveling at a high rate of speed” hit the car he was in, police in Maryland said. He was 24.
The crash occurred just 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 in the front passenger seat of a maroon Dodge Charger and was traveling with two others identified as Isaiah Hazel, 23, and Anthony Lytton, 24.
Hazel, the driver, and Jackson died at the scene, police said. Lytton was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The crash occurred after a silver Infiniti traveling northbound on Route 4 attempted to change lanes, the news release states. Police said the driver, identified as Cori Clingman, was “driving at a high rate of speed” and struck the Charger before hitting a Chevrolet Impala.
The force of the crash caused the Charger to travel off the road and hit multiple tree stumps before coming to a stop.
Clingman, 23, and two other passengers in the Infiniti were not injured, police said. The driver of the Impala was also uninjured and refused medical treatment at the scene.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said he was “absolutely crushed” by news of Jackson’s death and was “at a loss for words.”
“Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team,” O’Connell said in a statement posted on X. “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.”
The Vikings said it was “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, from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was the Vikings’ fourth-round draft pick at the NFL Draft in April. He was a starting cornerback at the University of Oregon.
Other 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 he was dedicated to being a tremendous 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 his “personality captured every room he was in.”
“I’m devastated that his life and everything that he had in front of him has been cut short,” Adofo-Mensah said in a statement.
Ducks’ head coach Dan Lanning wrote on X: RIP Khyree… Love you @Real_Khyree. at a loss for words. I will miss your smile. Great player 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 are with his family, loved ones and everybody involved in this tragic accident.”
Investigators said they believe alcohol may have been a contributing circumstance in the crash and that charges are pending.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
