Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson and two of his former high school teammates died in an early morning car crash on Saturday in Maryland, according to police and team reports.
Jackson, 24, and Isaiah Hazel were pronounced dead at the scene, while Anthony Lytton, Jr., 24, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital following the three-car collision in Prince George’s County, as per the Maryland State Police. Hazel was 23 years old.
The crash occurred just after 3 a.m. when the vehicle they were in was struck by another car that was speeding and changing lanes, police stated.
The Vikings released a statement expressing their condolences: “The team spoke to Jackson’s family and is devastated by the news.”
“I am heartbroken by the loss of Khyree,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. “As we got to know him throughout the pre-draft process, it was clear the goals Khyree wanted to accomplish both professionally and personally. His story was one of resilience. He was taking steps to become the best version of himself not just for him, but for those who cared about and looked up to him.”
Jackson was selected by the Vikings in the fourth round of the draft in April. He played two years at Alabama and completed his college career with one season at Oregon.
Jackson was competing for a starting cornerback position at the team’s training camp, set to begin later this month in Eagan, Minnesota.
“I am absolutely crushed by this news,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell commented. “Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team. His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him.”
Hazel played college football at Maryland and Charlotte, while Lytton played at Florida State and Penn State.
The three players had won a state championship together at Maryland’s Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, which honored them in a social media post.
According to police, Hazel was driving, with Jackson and Lytton as passengers in a Dodge Charger. The vehicle veered off the road after being hit and collided with multiple tree stumps.
Investigators believe the driver of a second vehicle, traveling north, attempted to change lanes “at a high rate of speed” and collided with the car driven by Hazel and a third vehicle.
No one in the second or third vehicles was injured.
Police indicated that alcohol might have been a contributing factor in the crash, and charges could be forthcoming.
Jackson was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection by The Associated Press last season, having tied for second in the conference with three interceptions. He began his college career in junior college in 2019.
“RIP Khyree… Love you,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning posted on social media. “At a loss for words. I will miss your smile. Great player, better person.”
