Khyree Jackson, an NFL draft pick in April for the Minnesota Vikings, and two former high school teammates died Saturday following an overnight car crash.
Jackson was 24.
Three vehicles were involved in the fatal crash in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, state police said in a statement.
Jackson, a front-seat passenger in a Dodge Charger, and Isaiah Hazel, the driver of that vehicle.
were pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.
Anthony Lytton Jr., who was sitting in the rear seat, was pronounced dead at a hospital, state police said.
Investigators believe the driver of a silver Infiniti “attempted to change lanes while driving at a high rate of speed when she struck the Dodge Charger” and then struck another vehicle, a Chevrolet Impala, according to the state police news release.
“The Charger subsequently traveled off of the right side of the roadway and struck multiple tree stumps where the vehicle came to rest,” the statement said.
Maryland State Police believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor. Charges are pending the investigation and consultation with the county state’s attorney’s office, police said.
According to a post on X from the Henry A. Wise High School athletic department, Jackson, Hazel and Lytton were teammates at the school in Upper Marlboro for several seasons.
Hazel played collegiately at Maryland and Charlotte, while Lytton was on teams at Florida State, Penn State and Bowie State.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Khyree’s passing,” Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said in a statement.
“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.”
