Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson was one of three people killed after another vehicle struck the car he was in “at a high rate of speed,” police in Maryland said. He was 24.
The crash occurred just before 3:15 a.m. Saturday morning 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 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 hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The crash occurred after a silver Infiniti traveling north on Route 4 attempted to change lanes, the news release said. Police said the driver, identified as Cori Clingman, was “traveling at a high rate of speed” and struck the Charger before hitting a Chevrolet Impala.
The force of the impact caused the Charger to leave the road and strike several 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 not injured 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 “at a loss for words.”
“Khyree brought an infectious energy to our facility and our team,” O’Connell said in a rack posted on X. “His confidence and engaging personality immediately attracted his teammates. In the short time we were together, it was clear that Khyree would develop into a great professional footballer, but what was even 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, and all those affected by this tragic accident,” the team wrote on X.
Jackson, from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was the Vikings’ fourth-round draft pick in April’s NFL Draft. He was a starting cornerback at the University of Oregon.
More tributes continued to pour in on Saturday.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Khyree’s passing. Khyree had a very bright future ahead of him as a player and it was clear that he was committed to being a great person who would make 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 captured every room he entered.”
“I am devastated that his life and all that was yet to come has been cut short so abruptly,” Adofo-Mensah said in a statement.
Ducks head coach Dan Lanning wrote on X: RIP Khyree… Love you @Real_Khyree. Words fail me. Gonna miss your smile. Great player, better person.”
“The NFL family is heartbroken 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 everyone involved in this tragic accident.”
Investigators believe alcohol played a role in the crash and charges are pending.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.