In a devastating development, Cori Clingman, the driver involved in the tragic crash that claimed the life of Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson and two others, was arrested Thursday on a staggering 13 charges. The counts against the 23-year-old include DUI and criminally negligent vehicular manslaughter, casting a somber shadow over an already heartbreaking situation.
As Clingman remains in custody awaiting a bond hearing, Prince George’s County State Attorney Aisha Braveboy solemnly declared, “This was a horrific tragedy that should not have occurred. This really just starts our fight to get justice.” Her words echo the sentiments of a community grappling with the senseless loss of three young lives.
A Promising Life Cut Short
Khyree Jackson, just one month shy of his 25th birthday, had his whole life ahead of him. As the Vikings’ fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, he quickly endeared himself to veterans and coaches alike with his infectious enthusiasm and undeniable confidence. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell reflected on Jackson’s impact during his brief time with the team:
“You felt [Jackson] had such a laser focus on what his mission and what his plan was. It really showed up in the spring. He had a very, very good spring and was really looking forward to coming back to training camp and being well on his way [and] on that path to having a big impact on our team for this year.”
– Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings Head Coach
Tragically, that bright future was extinguished in the early morning hours of July 6, 2024. Jackson, along with his high school football teammates Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr., lost their lives when Clingman’s Infiniti Q50 struck their Dodge Charger at high speed. The impact sent the Charger off the road, where it collided with multiple tree stumps. Hazel and Jackson were pronounced dead at the scene, while Lytton succumbed to his injuries after being transported to the hospital.
A Team and Community in Mourning
The Vikings organization rallied around Jackson’s memory, with players wearing “KJ” stickers on their helmets throughout the season and coaches donning pins bearing his initials. The team donated $20,000 to help cover funeral expenses and ensured that Jackson’s $827,148 signing bonus was paid out to his estate. But their support extended far beyond the financial.
Coach O’Connell, visibly emotional, served as a featured speaker at Jackson’s funeral. In an ESPN feature that aired earlier this month, he shared the depth of his connection to the young player, saying, “I fell in love with Jackson during his brief time with the team this spring and that players and coaches rallied around his memory…We’re all grieving and we all grieve in our own ways, but there’s not thing more powerful than grieving together, and we’re going to do it in the way that best honors Khyree and his family.”
The Road to Justice
As the Vikings and the football community at large continue to mourn the loss of a promising young player, the legal battle to hold Clingman accountable is just beginning. With charges that include DUI and vehicular manslaughter, the gravity of her alleged actions is not lost on those seeking justice for Jackson, Hazel, and Lytton.
While Attorney Braveboy could not divulge many details due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, she confirmed that Clingman’s blood alcohol content was “at least” above Maryland’s legal limit of 0.08% at the time of the crash. The revelation adds another layer of tragedy to an already heartbreaking situation, underscoring the devastating consequences of driving under the influence.
As the case against Clingman moves forward, the families of the victims, the Vikings organization, and the wider football community will undoubtedly be watching closely, hoping that justice will be served. While no legal outcome can bring back the lives lost, holding those responsible accountable is a critical step in the healing process.
For now, the focus remains on honoring the memory of Khyree Jackson, Isaiah Hazel, and Anthony Lytton Jr. – three young men whose lives were cut short in a senseless act of recklessness. As Coach O’Connell so poignantly expressed, the most powerful way to grieve is together, united in the determination to ensure that their legacies live on, both on and off the field.
Tragically, that bright future was extinguished in the early morning hours of July 6, 2024. Jackson, along with his high school football teammates Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr., lost their lives when Clingman’s Infiniti Q50 struck their Dodge Charger at high speed. The impact sent the Charger off the road, where it collided with multiple tree stumps. Hazel and Jackson were pronounced dead at the scene, while Lytton succumbed to his injuries after being transported to the hospital.
A Team and Community in Mourning
The Vikings organization rallied around Jackson’s memory, with players wearing “KJ” stickers on their helmets throughout the season and coaches donning pins bearing his initials. The team donated $20,000 to help cover funeral expenses and ensured that Jackson’s $827,148 signing bonus was paid out to his estate. But their support extended far beyond the financial.
Coach O’Connell, visibly emotional, served as a featured speaker at Jackson’s funeral. In an ESPN feature that aired earlier this month, he shared the depth of his connection to the young player, saying, “I fell in love with Jackson during his brief time with the team this spring and that players and coaches rallied around his memory…We’re all grieving and we all grieve in our own ways, but there’s not thing more powerful than grieving together, and we’re going to do it in the way that best honors Khyree and his family.”
The Road to Justice
As the Vikings and the football community at large continue to mourn the loss of a promising young player, the legal battle to hold Clingman accountable is just beginning. With charges that include DUI and vehicular manslaughter, the gravity of her alleged actions is not lost on those seeking justice for Jackson, Hazel, and Lytton.
While Attorney Braveboy could not divulge many details due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, she confirmed that Clingman’s blood alcohol content was “at least” above Maryland’s legal limit of 0.08% at the time of the crash. The revelation adds another layer of tragedy to an already heartbreaking situation, underscoring the devastating consequences of driving under the influence.
As the case against Clingman moves forward, the families of the victims, the Vikings organization, and the wider football community will undoubtedly be watching closely, hoping that justice will be served. While no legal outcome can bring back the lives lost, holding those responsible accountable is a critical step in the healing process.
For now, the focus remains on honoring the memory of Khyree Jackson, Isaiah Hazel, and Anthony Lytton Jr. – three young men whose lives were cut short in a senseless act of recklessness. As Coach O’Connell so poignantly expressed, the most powerful way to grieve is together, united in the determination to ensure that their legacies live on, both on and off the field.
