UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — A former University of North Carolina at Charlotte football player died in a crash early Saturday, according to Maryland State Police.
Police said they responded to a three-car crash in Upper Marlboro around 3:15 a.m. Saturday. Investigators said 23-year-old Isaiah Hazel, who was from Maryland, was one of the three people killed in the wreck.
A preliminary investigation indicates the driver of a silver Infiniti Q50 was driving north on Route 4/Pennsylvania Avenue in Prince George’s County. It is believed the driver tried to change lanes while speeding when they hit a Dodge Charger and then a Chevrolet Impala.
The Charger then went off the right side of the road and hit multiple tree stumps before stopping, according to police.
Two people inside the Charger, Hazel and 24-year-old Khyree Jackson, died at the scene. A third occupant, 24-year-old Anthony Lytton, Jr., was taken to the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center where he later died.
Lytton and Jackson were two of Hazel’s high school teammates. The trio won multiple state championships in Maryland.
After high school, Hazel went on to play football at the University of Maryland before coming to Charlotte last year. At UNC Charlotte, he was a 2023 letterman who appeared in all 12 games with eight starts as a defensive back, the university said.
Police believe alcohol may have led to the crash. Charges are pending and the investigation is ongoing.
Head coach Biff Poggi said he was “heartbroken” to hear the news and said he was praying for Hazel’s family.
“We are heartbroken today at the news of Isaiah Hazel’s untimely passing,” Poggi said in a statement Saturday. “Our program mourns his loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with Isaiah’s family during this tragic time. All of Isaiah’s hopes and dreams were still before him, and I pray that his family is granted strength now more than ever.”
Jackson was a rookie cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings, according to ESPN.
News of Hazel’s death stunned the UNC Charlotte community.
“One, it shows you at a young age somebody can be gone that quick,” said Lance Cochran.
Cochran is a student at UNC Charlotte and also plays tennis for the university.
“I would say it’s a pretty big impact, especially since he was an athlete. Since I’m a fellow athlete, like, it’s really hitting home with the athletic community.”
According to our partners at the Charlotte Observer, the 49ers will honor Hazel by wearing helmet stickers showing his number, 13, during the upcoming season.
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