New Details Released On Car Crash That Killed Vikings Rookie Khyree Jackson; Social Media Tributes Pour In

The Maryland State Police have issued a statement detailing the car accident that killed 24-year-old Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson and two others.

Former Maryland and Charlotte player Isaiah Hazel, 23, and ex-Penn State player Anthony "AJ" Lytton, 24, also died in the crash. All three men were alumni of Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Prince George's County, Md.

According to the statement, Hazel was driving a Dodge Charger, with Jackson in the passenger seat and Lytton in the backseat. According to investigators, a woman driving an Infinity Q50 struck the Charger while attempting to change lanes at high speed.

The car carrying the three players was forced off the road and hit multiple tree stumps, per the report. A third car was also involved in the incident, but no one in the other two vehicles was injured. Authorities responded to the scene at 3:14 a.m. Saturday.

Investigators believe alcohol may have been a factor in the incident, and charges are pending.

A Maryland native, Jackson attended Fort Scott Community College for one year out of high school before enrolling at Alabama prior to the 2021 season. He played for the Crimson Tide for two seasons and made his lone start for Alabama in the 2021 National Championship game against Georgia. He then transferred to Oregon, where he became a First-Team All-Pac-12 honoree in 2023.

The Vikings selected Jackson in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Coaches And Teammates Pay Tribute To Khyree Jackson

After news of the tragedy broke, condolences poured in on social media.

"I am absolutely crushed by this news," Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said. "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."

"His story was one of resilience," Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. "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. Khyree's personality captured every room he was in. I'm devastated that his life and everything he had in front of him has been cut short."

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning had high praise for Jackson's character, too — calling him a "great player, better person."

Several of Jackson's teammates and others from the NFL and college football world have posted tributes as well.