Khyree Jackson killed in car crash

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. –

Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson and two of his former highschool teammates have been killed in an early morning automobile crash Saturday in Maryland, police and the group mentioned.

Jackson, 24, and Isaiah Hazel died on the scene, whereas Anthony Lytton, Jr., was pronounced useless at a hospital after the three-car crash in Prince George’s County, in response to Maryland State Police. Lytton was 24 and Hazel was 23.

The three have been in the identical automobile simply after 3 a.m. when it was struck by one other automobile that was dashing and altering lanes, police mentioned.

The Vikings launched a press release saying the group spoke to Jackson’s household, and is “devastated by the information.”

“I’m heartbroken by the lack of Khyree,” Vikings normal supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah mentioned. “As we acquired to know him all through the pre-draft course of, it was clear the objectives Khyree needed to perform each professionally and personally. His story was one in every of resilience. He was taking steps to turn into the very best model of himself not only for him, however for individuals who cared about and regarded as much as him.”

Jackson was a fourth-round draft choose by the Vikings in April. He performed two years at Alabama earlier than ending his school profession with one season at Oregon.

FILE – Oregon defensive again Khyree Jackson (5) traces up for a play in opposition to Texas Tech in the course of the second half of an NCAA school soccer sport, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Picture/Chase Seabolt, File)

Jackson was within the operating to earn a beginning cornerback job on the group’s coaching camp, which opens later this month in Eagan, Minnesota.

“I’m completely crushed by this information,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned. “Khyree introduced a contagious vitality to our facility and our group. His confidence and interesting character instantly drew his teammates to him.”

Hazel performed school soccer at Maryland and Charlotte, and Lytton performed at Florida State and Penn State.

The three gained a state championship collectively at Maryland’s Dr. Henry A. Sensible Jr. Excessive Faculty, which paid tribute to them in a social media put up.

Hazel was driving, and Jackson and Lytton have been passengers in a Dodge Charger, which veered off the street after being hit and struck a number of tree stumps, police mentioned.

Investigators imagine the motive force of a second automobile travelling north tried to vary lanes “at a excessive fee of pace” when it collided with the automobile pushed by Hazel and a 3rd automobile.

No one was injured within the second or third autos.

Investigators say alcohol may need been a contributing issue within the crash and prices could possibly be coming.

Jackson was a first-team All-Pac-12 choice by The Related Press final season after tying for second within the convention with three interceptions. His school profession started in junior school in 2019.

“RIP Khyree…Love you,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning posted on social media. “Puzzled. I’ll miss your smile. Nice participant, higher particular person.”