BALTIMORE — 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 drafted Jackson in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft after playing cornerback at Alabama for two seasons and finishing his college career at Oregon in 2023. Jackson was drafted in late April and the NFL’s season is set to start in early September. He died just two months ahead of the start of his first season on the team.
Lytton went on to play 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.
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“I am absolutely crushed by this news,” Vikings head 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.”
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.
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 may 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.