Khyree Jackson, who was recently drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, and his former Dr. Henry A. Wise High School teammates Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr. were killed in a traffic accident on Pennsylvania Avenue in Upper Marlboro shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday.
Both Jackson and Hazel were pronounced dead at the scene, and Lytton died at the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center.
The incident occurred when another driver attempted to change lanes at a high speed and struck the vehicle with Jackson, Hazel and Lytton. None of the passengers in the other two vehicles involved suffered serious injuries.
Politicians, institutions, coaches, teammates, and members of the community have been working to celebrate the athletes lives.
“These young men impacted and touched so many lives while they worked to live their dreams. The smiles, the laughs, the conversations, and the bonds span further than we could ever imagine,” wrote the Bowie Boys and Girls Club on Instagram. “To anyone that knew these young men, we are praying for you in this moment.”
Jackson, 24, played for the University of Alabama and the University of Oregon. He was a fourth-round draft pick for the Minnesota Vikings earlier this year and was in competition to be a starter in his rookie NFL season.
“We are devastated by the news of Khyree Jackson’s death following an overnight car accident,” the Minnesota Vikings said in a statement shortly after the accident. “Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident.”
Lytton, 24, was an Under Armour All-American and played a pivotal role in leading Wise to 42 consecutive wins and three straight 4A state championships. A top 50 recruit in 2018, Lytton was a senior defensive back for the Bowie State University Bulldogs and also played for both Penn State and Florida State. He was the 2017 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year.
“A.J. will be truly missed,” said Kyle Jackson, Bowie State’s head football coach. “He was a bright spot for the Bowie State University Football program. He was a great football player but an even better young man.”
Largo native Hazel, 23, played defensive back at the University of Maryland and was using his final year of eligibility to play for the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Charlotte.
“All of Isaiah’s hopes and dreams were still before him, and I pray that his family is granted strength now more than ever,” said Charlotte Coach Biff Poggi, a former coach in Maryland.
Prince George’s County Councilmember Wala Blegay (D- District 6) encouraged people to continue the young men’s legacy as the community mourns the major losses.
“In moments like these, we lean on the memories of their achievements and the impact they had on our lives. Their presence enriched our community, and their absence will forever be cherished by all who knew them. Let us come together in solidarity, offering comfort and support to one another as we honor their lives and legacy,” said Blegay.
The District 6 council member, who recently hosted a townhall on traffic safety for Route 301 alongside several other legislators and state officials, also stressed the importance of improving road safety.
“Our office will continue working with the state highway administration and law enforcement to ensure safer roads for everyone. We must invest in our roadways and collectively strive to prevent such tragedies while holding violators of traffic laws accountable.
‘These Guys Were Good Dudes‘
Quentin Jordan, who played football at Wise’s rival Frederick Douglass High School, was a mentor and big brother figure for all three of the victims.
“It’s a tragedy to hear [of their passing]. These guys were good dudes,” Jordan told The Informer, adding that he had helped them choose universities and worked to advise them throughout college.
“Football is hard: it’s not just the physical challenges. You’re far from home, juggling your personal life, and still excelling in both academics and athletics,” Jordan explained. “The experiences away from home were hard but made them all better as people and as men. I was also looking forward to making sure they could make the transition out of football, to keep them grounded and keep them motivated in life generally.”
Jordan first learned of Hazel through his trainer, Coach Melvin Coleman, who used to coach at Bowie State. Once learning of Jordan’s experiences at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Hazel followed in his footsteps, after transferring from the University of Maryland, and had his breakout year as a defensive back.
Having helped and advised Jackson early in his college career, Jordan was ecstatic to see the young man’s success leading to his NFL draft.
“After working with Coach Coleman, Khyree was about to graduate from high school and asked me about Kansas junior college Fort Scott, where I went,” said Jordan. “We were rivals but I was looking out for a fellow DMV kid, you want to see others around the area do well. Me and Khyree stayed in touch no matter how he was playing, how he was feeling, or where he was in the country. It was so great to see him accomplish his goals.”
He recalled some of the advice he offered Jackson years ago.
“I told him it would be a great experience if he focused, and the things to expect being away from home. I kept up with Khyree at Alabama, and then at Oregon. Sometimes at Alabama, he would get down because he didn’t play enough. I told him to keep his head high through the struggles.”
Jordan later met Lytton after graduating college, through mutual friends. He said Lytton was another hard-working and disciplined athlete, who had dedication to his craft as both an athlete and a teammate.
He appreciated getting to know the three of them over the years.
“Moo Moo, their best friend, went to Fort Scott with them and I was being the big brother and mentor for them all,” he said. “I was here to motivate them and remind them that experience only comes with time, and that experience kept me disciplined as well.”
Gone, but never ever ever forgotten.