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Former Charlotte 49ers football player and two others killed in Maryland crash – WSOC TV

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UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland – A former University of North Carolina at Charlotte football player died in a car crash early Saturday, according to Maryland State Police.

Police said they were called to a three-car crash in Upper Marlboro around 3:15 a.m. Saturday. Investigators said 23-year-old Isaiah Hazel of Maryland was one of the three people killed in the crash.

Preliminary investigation indicates the driver of a silver Infiniti Q50 was traveling north on Route 4/Pennsylvania Avenue in Prince George’s County. It is believed the driver was speeding while attempting to change lanes when he struck a Dodge Charger and then a Chevrolet Impala.

The Charger then veered off the right side of the road and struck several tree stumps before coming to a stop, police said.

( ALSO READ: Impaired driver rams patrol car in Gaston County )

Two passengers in the Charger, Hazel and 24-year-old Khyree Jackson, died at the scene. A third passenger, 24-year-old Anthony Lytton Jr., was taken to the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, where he later died.

Lytton and Jackson were two of Hazel’s high school teammates. The trio won several state championships in Maryland.

After high school, Hazel played football at the University of Maryland before coming to Charlotte last year. At UNC Charlotte, he was a 2023 letterman who appeared in all 12 games with eight starts as a defensive back, the university said.

Isaiah Hazel

The police believe that the accident may have occurred under the influence of alcohol. Charges are still pending and the investigation is ongoing.

Head coach Biff Poggi said the news left him “heartbroken” and said he was praying for Hazel’s family.

“We are deeply saddened today by the news of Isaiah Hazel’s untimely passing,” Poggi said in a statement Saturday. “Our program mourns his passing and our thoughts and prayers are with Isaiah’s family during this tragic time. All of Isaiah’s hopes and dreams were still ahead of him and I pray that his family is given more strength now than ever before.”

( ALSO READ: Reports: Forward Miles Bridges returns to Hornets on 3-year contract )

According to ESPN, Jackson was a rookie cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings.

The news of Hazel’s death shocked the UNC Charlotte community.

“First of all, it shows that someone at a young age can be gone so quickly,” said Lance Cochran.

Cochran is a student at UNC Charlotte and also plays tennis for the university.

“I would say it has a pretty big impact, especially because he was an athlete. Since I’m an athlete too, it really hits the sports community.”

According to our partners at the Charlotte Observer, the 49ers will honor Hazel next season by wearing helmet decals with his number 13.

VIDEO: Drunk driver rams patrol car in Gaston County

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