Vikings cornerback Khyree Jackson died in a car accident at the age of 24, the team announced Saturday.
The crash occurred in Jackson's hometown of Upper Marlboro, Md., according to a police report of the accident. Jackson's mother, Ebbony, told TMZ she received a call about her son's death at 4 a.m. ET Saturday.
"We are devastated by the news of Khyree Jackson’s death following an overnight car accident," the Vikings wrote on social media. "Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident."
The Vikings selected Jackson in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft after he played college ball at Alabama and Oregon. He logged 34 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks during his lone season with the Ducks, and coach Dan Lanning was among those who paid tribute to Jackson after his death was announced.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell also released a statement lamenting Jackson's death.
"I am absolutely crushed by this news," 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. I am at a loss for words. My heart goes out to Khyree's family, friends, teammates and coaches."
Lanning and O'Connell's tributes were just two of many that came in as Jackson's current and former teammates and fans were made aware of his death.
Khyree Jackson car accident details
Jackson died in a three-car crash on Saturday in his hometown of Upper Marlboro. According to a police report of the accident , Jackson and two others — Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr. — were riding in a maroon Dodge Charger when a silver Infinity Q50 driven by Cori Clingman crashed into them.
"Investigators believe Clingman attempted to change lanes while driving at a high rate of speed when she struck the Dodge Charger and then struck the Chevrolet Impala," the police report read. "The Charger subsequently traveled off of the right side of the roadway and struck multiple tree stumps where the vehicle came to rest."
Jackson and Hazel, the driver, were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. Lytton, who was sitting in the Dodge Charger's backseat, died after being transferred to a hospital.
Clingman and the two passengers in her car were uninjured in the crash. So too was the driver of the Chevrolet Impala, who was alone at the time of the wreck.
The police announced that "investigators believe alcohol may have been a contributing circumstance in the crash." Charges in the accident are still pending.
Khyree Jackson NFL Draft
The Vikings selected Jackson in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 108th overall pick.
Jackson was viewed as an unlikely success story. He began his college football career at Arizona Western College but eventually became homesick and left the team after six months.
Jackson then took two seasons off during which his focus wasn't on football. It was on slicing ham and other deli products at Harris Teater.
"At one point, I wasn't really thinking about football much," Jackson admitted in a media availability after the Vikings selected him in the 2024 NFL Draft. "I had just won employee at a month at a grocery store, so I really wasn't thinking much about it. I told my mom at one point in time, 'I guess I'm about to be working at a grocery store.'"
Jackson also revealed he played a lot of NBA 2K and tried to make it as a professional gamer. During that time, football "got a little foggy."
Eventually, Jackson returned to the game and played for Fort Scott CC, Alabama and Oregon before earning his way to the pros.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah reflected on Jackson's journey to the NFL in a statement released after the 24-year-old's death.
"I am heartbroken by the loss of Khyree," Adofo-Mensah said . "As we got to know him throughout the pre-draft process, it was clear the goals Khyree wanted to accomplish both professionally and personally. 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.
"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. My thoughts are with Khyree's family and friends, those who played with and coached him in college, and his teammates and coaches here at the Vikings."
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