Driver in crash that killed Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson arrested, facing 13 charges

A 23-year-old woman was arrested Thursday and is facing up to 13 charges in the July 2024 crash that killed Minnesota Vikings’ rookie Khyree Jackson and two others in Maryland.

Fatal crash in Maryland

The backstory:

Jackson was one of three people killed in the crash in the early-morning hours of July 6, just weeks before he was set to report to his first training camp. The Vikings had selected him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he was going to compete for a spot in the secondary.

Authorities identified the driver as Cori Clingman. She was arrested and was indicted by a Prince George's County grand jury on 13 counts that include DUI, grossly negligent and criminally negligent vehicular manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter related to driving under the influence and being impaired by alcohol. 

She is accused of driving at a high rate of speed and being impaired when she tried to change lanes and hit the car Jackson was a passenger in. That vehicle went off the road and hit several tree stumps before coming to rest, according to authorities. 

Also killed in the crash were Jackson's high school teammates, Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton.

"Our community lost three amazing young men. This was a horrific tragedy that should not have occurred," State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy said at a Thursday news conference. "This starts our fight to get justice for these three young men."

Clingman is being held without bond, and is scheduled for a hearing on Friday. If convicted on all charges, Clingman faces up to 30 years in prison.

Vikings honor Khyree Jackson

Why it matters: The Vikings spent the 2024 season doing several things to honor Jackson’s memory. Players wore "KJ" patches on their jerseys, and coaches had a patch on their game day outfits. Jackson had a locker at TCO Performance Center that went unused, and there was a "KJ" logo on the team’s practice field. Players regularly kept fresh flowers at Jackson’s locker.

Vikings’ coach Kevin O’Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones were among those to attend Jackson’s funeral.

Jackson’s family attended a regular season game during the team’s family weekend. His family got to be part of the pregame coin toss.

Jackson’s path to the Vikings

Why it matters: Jackson had quit football and was working at a grocery store before getting a chance to play for two seasons at Alabama. He spent his last college season at Oregon before getting drafted by the Vikings.

Jackson was just 24 years old.

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