In a tragic incident on Saturday morning, rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson lost his life in a car accident in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The crash, which involved three vehicles, was first reported by TMZ and later confirmed by Maryland authorities.
Vikings Rookie Khyree Jackson Passes Away in Accident
Jackson, who was preparing to start his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings, had been drafted from Oregon in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The accident claimed the lives of two other passengers in the car Jackson was traveling in. According to the Maryland State Police, Jackson was seated in the passenger seat when their vehicle was hit by another car attempting to change lanes at high speed. Authorities suspect alcohol played a role in the crash, and charges are pending the outcome of the investigation led by the Maryland State Police Crash Team.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed his grief in a statement, saying, “I am absolutely crushed by this news. Khyree instilled a contagious excitement in our staff and facility. His teammates gravitated toward him right away because of his self-assurance and charisma. In the few time we had together, it was clear Khyree would become a fantastic professional football player, but even more remarkable was his drive to become the best guy he might be for his neighbors and family. I am at a loss for words. My heart goes out to Khyree’s family, friends, teammates, and coaches.”
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Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also mourned Jackson’s passing, stating, “I am heartbroken by the loss of Khyree. During the pre-draft phase, we got to know Khyree and realized what he desired to achieve on a personal and professional level. 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. Every space Khyree entered was captivated by his personality. That his life and everything he had ahead of him were taken so soon breaks my heart. My thoughts are with Khyree’s friends and family, his teammates and coaches here at the Vikings, and those who coached and played with him in college.
This heartbreaking incident has left a profound impact on the Vikings organization and all who knew Khyree Jackson.