In the early hours of Saturday in downtown Houston, a collision at a red light claimed the lives of six people, including former NFL cornerback D.J. Hayden.
The fatal two-vehicle accident unfolded around 2 a.m. when a speeding Chrysler 300 disregarded the red light and crashed into an SUV, Houston Police Assistant Chief Megan Howard said.
Among the victims were five men and one woman, with four individuals pronounced dead at the scene. The casualties included the Chrysler’s driver and a man who appeared to be homeless, according to Howard.
Of the four people transported to the hospital, two succumbed to their injuries, while a female passenger remained in critical condition with life-threatening wounds, Howard added.
At the hospital, police interviewed a male passenger from the SUV, and investigators were actively working to identify the SUV’s driver, Howard said.
Born in Houston and a standout at the University of Houston, D.J. Hayden was 33. Drafted in the first round in 2013, he played for eight seasons until 2020, contributing to the Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
“D.J.’s courage, perseverance, and dedication to his teammates will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew him,” the Raiders said in a statement. “The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with D.J.’s loved ones at this time.”
