Tragic DUI Crash Claims Lives of Minnesota Vikings Rookie and Teammates: Driver Pleads Guilty to Negligent Homicide
A tragic incident involving the death of Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson has led to the driver responsible, Cori Clingman, pleading guilty to three counts of negligent homicide under the influence of alcohol in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Prosecutors are recommending a five-year sentence for each count, with all but one year of each sentence suspended. Clingman is expected to serve three years in prison consecutively for the crash that occurred in July 2024, resulting in the deaths of Jackson and two of his former high school teammates, Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr.
The fatal crash occurred when Clingman's Infiniti Q50 collided with the Dodge Charger driven by Hazel, with Jackson and Lytton as passengers. Maryland State Police reported that Clingman was driving at a high speed and attempted to change lanes, causing the collision that led to Hazel's vehicle veering off the road and hitting multiple tree stumps. Jackson and Hazel were pronounced dead at the scene, while Lytton succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Clingman and the occupants of the other car involved in the crash were unharmed.
Investigations revealed that Clingman's blood alcohol content was above the legal limit at the time of the collision. She faced multiple charges, including negligent manslaughter and driving under the influence, with previous speeding citations on record. Jackson, a promising NFL rookie, had his career cut short by the tragic incident, prompting the Vikings to provide financial support for his funeral expenses and allocate his signing bonus to his estate.
Clingman is set to be sentenced on February 4, 2026, following her guilty plea in court. The devastating consequences of the crash serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible driving and the severe impact of driving under the influence of alcohol.