Ex-NFL participant DJ Hayden amongst six killed in Houston crash

Former NFL participant DJ Hayden was among the many six folks killed in an early-morning auto crash in Houston, Texas, based on the College of Houston, his alma matter.

Hayden’s former UH teammates Zachary McMillian and Ralph Oragwu had been additionally killled, per the college, whereas one other former UH participant, Jeffery Lewis, was injured.

“The whole College of Houston group is heartbroken over the tragic passing of former Soccer student-athletes D.J. Hayden, Zachary McMillian and Ralph Oragwu earlier as we speak, and our ideas and prayers stay with Jeffery Lewis in his restoration forward,” the college stated in a press release.

“Whereas their mixed abilities supplied Houston Soccer a few of its most unforgettable moments, their distinctive legacies will greatest be remembered for the way in which they beloved their teammates, supported their communities and defied the percentages.”

The accident occured round 2am on Saturday when a Chrysler 300 touring eastbound on Pierce Avenue at a “excessive fee of velocity” ran a pink gentle and struck an Acura SUV.

“The affect induced a number of individuals within the automobiles to be ejected,” Houston police stated in a press release. “The Chrysler left the roadway onto a sidewalk and struck a pedestrian, believed to be a homeless male.”

The motive force of the Chrysler was pronounced useless on the scene, as had been two of the three folks ejected from the Acura and the male pedestrian.

4 others concerned within the wreck had been taken to close by hospitals, the place two others had been pronounced deceased.

Houston assistant police chief Megan Howard stated in a video assertion {that a} feminine concerned within the crash is in critical situation whereas a male concerned is aware and talking with police.

“She has life-threatening accidents and there’s additionally a male on the hospital who investigators are interviewing proper now,” Ms Howard stated.

“We’re undecided who the motive force was for the SUV. That will likely be decided by way of the investigation.”

A bystander sleeping close to the homeless man who died described witnessing the crash.

“Actually, it gave the impression of two trains crashing collectively. I can nonetheless hear the sound in my head. It’s nerve-wracking,” he instructed ABC13. “I used to be proper subsequent to him. I simply had one thing in my intestine telling me to rise up, and I acquired up. However it may have been me.”

Hayden made headlines in 2012 when he tore his coronary heart throughout a collision in follow.

After being medically cleared, he was drafted twelfth total to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Throughout his profession with the Raiders, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Washington Commanders, Hayden had 328 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 4 interceptions and 4 compelled fumbles in 92 video games, based on ESPN.