Former NFL cornerback D.J. Hayden tragically lost his life in a car accident, as reported by the Houston Police Department. Hayden, aged 33, was one of the six victims of the incident on Saturday morning.
According to authorities, a call was received around 2 a.m. regarding a traffic accident involving two vehicles, a Chrysler 300 and an Acura SUV. The police stated that the Chrysler was at fault for running a red light at high speed.
Although four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, four others were taken to a local hospital. Unfortunately, two of them later passed away. Among the fatalities were five males, one of whom was homeless, and one female. The police investigation aims to determine the exact circumstances of the accident, including identifying the driver of the SUV.
Two of Hayden’s University of Houston teammates, cornerback Zach McMillan, and offensive lineman Ralph Oragwu, were also involved in the crash. Another teammate, cornerback Jeffrey Lewis, is currently recovering from his injuries.
The University of Houston’s athletic department expressed deep sorrow over the tragic passing of former Football student-athletes D.J. Hayden, Zachary McMillian, and Ralph Oragwu. They extended their condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones and emphasized the impact these individuals had on their community and those around them.
Hayden’s NFL career began in 2013 when he was selected in the first round of the draft by the Oakland Raiders, overcoming a life-threatening injury to his heart during his 2012 season at Houston. He had a successful career spanning eight seasons and playing for teams like the Detroit Lions, Washington, and the Jacksonville Jaguars, with notable statistics of 4.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 46 pass breakups.
