Tragedy Strikes NFL Community: Driver Pleads Guilty in Fatal Crash That Killed Vikings’ Khyree Jackson

In a somber development that has deeply affected the NFL community, Cori Clingman, 25, has pleaded guilty to three counts of negligent homicide under the influence following the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson and two of his high school teammates. The plea was entered in a Maryland courtroom on November 7, with sentencing scheduled for February 4, 2026. The fatal crash occurred in the early morning hours of July 6 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, forever altering the lives of numerous families and casting a shadow over what should have been the beginning of Jackson’s promising NFL career. According to Maryland State Police reports, Clingman was driving a silver Infiniti Q50 when she attempted to change lanes “at a high rate of speed,” colliding with the Dodge Charger carrying Jackson and his friends. The impact sent the Charger off the road and into multiple trees, resulting in devastating consequences. Investigators noted that alcohol was likely a contributing factor in the crash, adding another layer of tragedy to an already heartbreaking situation.

The accident claimed the lives of three young men with bright futures ahead of them. Isaiah Hazel, 23, who was driving the Charger, and Jackson, 24, who occupied the passenger seat, were pronounced dead at the scene. Anthony Lytton Jr., 24, who was seated in the back, was rushed to the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. All three men had been high school teammates, maintaining their friendship into adulthood, their lives intertwined until the very end. In stark contrast to the devastating outcome for the occupants of the Charger, no one in Clingman’s Infiniti sustained injuries in the collision. This painful disparity has only intensified the grief felt by the victims’ families, as they grapple with the permanent absence of their loved ones while facing the driver responsible for the crash in court proceedings that will extend into 2026.

The loss of Khyree Jackson, just one month shy of his 25th birthday, sent shockwaves through the NFL community, particularly affecting the Minnesota Vikings organization that had selected him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the Vikings released a statement expressing their devastation: “We are devastated by the news of Khyree Jackson’s death following an overnight car accident. Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident.” The statement captured the profound sense of loss felt not only for a promising athlete but also for a young man whose personality had already made a significant impact on his new team. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell’s heartfelt statement further illuminated the impression Jackson had made in his brief time with the organization, describing how the rookie’s “contagious energy” and “engaging personality” had quickly endeared him to his teammates during the short period they had together.

Fellow 2024 Vikings draft pick, quarterback J.J. McCarthy, shared his personal grief through social media, highlighting the human connection that transcends professional relationships in sports. “Too much ahead of him,” McCarthy wrote on Instagram. “Rest in peace to a phenomenal athlete but more importantly a really f—king great man.” The raw emotion in McCarthy’s tribute spoke volumes about the character of the young cornerback whose life was cut tragically short. Coach O’Connell’s tribute similarly balanced Jackson’s professional potential with his personal qualities: “In our short time together, it was evident that 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.” These tributes paint the picture of a young man whose impact extended far beyond his athletic abilities, someone who brought joy and positivity to those around him.

The ripple effects of this tragedy extended throughout the sports world in Minnesota. The Minnesota Twins joined in honoring Jackson’s memory with a moment of silence before their game on July 6, displaying his photo on the Jumbotron with the caption “In memory of Khyree Jackson 1999-2024.” This cross-sport recognition underscored how deeply the loss of such a young, promising life affected the entire athletic community in the region. For the Vikings organization, Jackson’s death represented not just the loss of a talented player who could have contributed on the field, but also the loss of a vibrant presence who had already begun making his mark on the team culture. The fact that he was just beginning his professional journey, with training camp still ahead, made the loss all the more poignant – teammates and coaches were left to wonder about the unfulfilled potential both as a player and as a presence in their lives.

As the legal process moves forward following Clingman’s guilty plea, the families of Jackson, Hazel, and Lytton face the challenging journey of finding justice and closure. While nothing can bring back the three young men whose futures were erased in a moment of negligence, the guilty plea represents an acknowledgment of responsibility that may provide some small measure of solace to grieving loved ones. For the NFL community, particularly the Vikings organization, Jackson’s memory lives on as a reminder of both what might have been and the fragility of life itself. His story has become part of the larger narrative of talented young lives lost too soon, joining others whose potential remained unfulfilled due to tragedy. As the football season continues without him, Jackson’s absence serves as a sobering reminder that beneath the uniforms and behind the statistics are human beings with dreams, relationships, and futures that extend far beyond the playing field – futures that, in Jackson’s case, were tragically cut short on a Maryland highway in the early hours of a July morning.