- Former NFL star DJ Hayden is among six people killed in Houston
- The vehicle “ran through a red light and collided with her car at 2 a.m. Saturday.”
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Former NFL star DJ Hayden and three of his former college football teammates are among six people killed in a car crash in Houston early Saturday.
Hayden, 33, and former University of Houston football players Zach McMillian and Ralph Oragwu were among the victims in the crash, which occurred at 2 a.m. at the intersection of Pierce and Fannin streets.
The Houston Chronicle reports that a fourth former Cougars football player was also killed but was not identified.
Asst. Houston Police Chief Megan Howard said a Chrysler 300 ran a red light at a high rate of speed around 2 a.m. and then crashed into an Acura SUV carrying Hayden and his former teammates.
According to investigators, the drivers of both vehicles lost control, the SUV overturned and four people were killed at the scene of the accident – including the driver of the Chrysler.
Former NFL star DJ Hayden, 33, has reportedly died in a car accident in Houston
The accident occurred at 2 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Pierce Street and Fannin Street
Another four victims were taken to hospital, where two more died. A female victim is believed to still be fighting for her life in hospital and another person “was alert and spoke to police”.
Local law enforcement confirmed that one of the victims was a homeless man, and local television station Eyewitness News spoke to one of his friends who was sleeping nearby.
“It literally sounded like two trains colliding.” I can still hear the sound in my head. “It’s nerve-wracking,” he said.
“I was right next to him. I just had something in my gut telling me to get up, and I got up. But it could have been me.’
Hayden was drafted 12th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft by the then-Oakland Raiders
Former University of Houston football player Zach McMillian also died in the collision
After an impressive college stint in Houston, Hayden was selected 12th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft by the then-Oakland Raiders.
The cornerback spent nine seasons in the NFL and also played for the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Commanders.
Hayden, a two-time All-Conference USA honoree with Houston, made national headlines after a collision in practice left him teary.
He was released from the hospital a week later and selected by the Raiders.
Hayden recorded 328 tackles, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions and four forced fumbles in 92 career games.
The Cougars will play at home against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
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