Former NFL cornerback D.J. Hayden, aged 33, tragically lost his life in Houston during the early hours of Saturday morning when a car ran a red light, resulting in a collision with another vehicle that claimed six lives. Among the victims were Hayden’s former University of Houston teammates, Zach McMillian and Ralph Oragwu, as confirmed by the school. The driver responsible for the collision also perished at the scene, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
The initial police assessment revealed that four individuals were declared dead on-site, with two more succumbing to their injuries after being transported to a local hospital. A woman was conveyed to the hospital with “life-threatening injuries,” according to law enforcement statements, while another individual remained alert and cooperated with investigators.
Jeffery Lewis, another former player from the University of Houston, sustained injuries but is currently in the process of recovery, as noted by the university.
Hayden, a two-time All-Conference USA honoree during his time at Houston, gained national attention in 2012 when a practice collision resulted in a tear in his heart. Remarkably, he was discharged from the hospital within a week and went on to be selected by the then-Oakland Raiders with the 12th overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft.
