Vikings cornerback dies in accident

FOOTBALL

Vikings rookie fatally injured in accident

UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland – Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson and two of his former high school teammates were killed in a car crash in Maryland Saturday morning, police and the team said.

Jackson, 24, and Isaiah Hazel died at the scene, while Anthony Lytton, Jr. was pronounced dead at a hospital following the car crash in Prince George’s County, according to Maryland State Police. Lytton was 24 and Hazel was 23.

The three were in the same vehicle shortly after 3 a.m. when it was struck by another vehicle that was driving too fast and changing lanes, police said.

“I am heartbroken by the loss of Khyree,” said Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. “As we got to know him leading up to the draft, it was clear what Khyree wanted to achieve both professionally and personally. His story was one of resilience. He took steps to become the best version of himself, not only for himself, but for those who cared about him 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 before finishing his college career with one season at Oregon.

Hazel played college football at Maryland and Charlotte, and Lytton played at Florida State and Penn State.

Hazel was driving and Jackson and Lytton were in a Dodge Charger that crashed and left the road and struck several tree stumps, police said.

Investigators believe the driver of a second vehicle traveling north was attempting to change lanes “at a high rate of speed” when it collided with the car driven by Hazel and a third vehicle.

FILE – Alabama defensive back Khyree Jackson (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson was killed in a car crash in Maryland on Saturday morning, July 6, 2024, police and the team said. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)

FILE – Oregon defensive back Khyree Jackson poses for a portrait at the NFL Football Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson was killed in a car crash in Maryland on Saturday morning, July 6, 2024, police and the team said. ( (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL, File)

FILE – Oregon defensive back Khyree Jackson (5) lines up for a play against Texas Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas. Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson was killed in a car crash in Maryland on Saturday morning, July 6, 2024, police and the team said. (AP Photo/Chase Seabolt, File)

FILE – Charlotte defensive back Isaiah Hazel plays against Georgia State during an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. Hazel was one of three people killed in a nighttime three-car crash in Prince George’s County, according to Maryland State Police Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)