Just months after the Minnesota Vikings called his name in the NFL Draft, Khyree Jackson’s lifelong dream was cut short in a tragic crash. Nearly two years later, the driver responsible has finally been sentenced, closing a painful chapter for his family.

On February 5, Cori Clingman stood in a Prince George’s County courtroom, fighting through tears as she prepared to face sentencing for a crash that claimed three lives. She was handed a 15-year prison sentence, suspended for all but three years, after pleading guilty to three counts of negligent homicide under the influence of alcohol.

It had all unfolded in the early hours of July 6, 2024, when what began as a night of drinks to see Jackson off before his move to Minnesota ended in devastating loss. Prosecutors revealed the group had gathered at Upper Marlboro’s Famous Lounge before leaving in separate vehicles. Clingman drove a silver Infiniti Q50 with two passengers, while Hazel was behind the wheel of the Charger carrying Jackson and Lytton.

According to reports, Clingman was friends with the trio and had grown up alongside them, serving as the football team manager at Wise High School and remaining close even after graduation. But while they were on the road, she turned reckless. Both vehicles reached speeds exceeding 100 mph on Route 4 near Presidential Parkway, though prosecutors noted there was no evidence of racing.

She changed lanes to avoid hitting a car and clipped another before ramming into the Charger. The impact sent Hazel’s vehicle off the road and into a tree stump. Hazel and Jackson were killed instantly, while Lytton later died at the hospital. Clingman, her passengers, and the driver of the third vehicle were all physically unharmed.

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For Jackson, the tragedy struck just 15 days before he was set to begin his NFL dream at training camp, ending his life and career at just 24.

The sentence closes a painful chapter that began just as Jackson’s own NFL chapter was about to start, a journey he fought tirelessly for. After receiving no scholarship offers out of high school, he took the junior college route, first at Arizona Western and then at Fort Scott, before earning a coveted spot with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

He played here for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, amassing 15 total tackles over those two years. Jackson then transferred to Oregon to play for Dan Lanning. That last year of his college career at the Ducks and an All-Pac-12 selection turned the scouts’ attention to his game.

In his honor, the Vikings left his jersey number (31) and locker unused for the 2024 season. Players carried his initials on their helmets in an ode to Jackson. The same design was sported by Minnesota coaches and staff members on their uniforms as pins. In the extremely short time he had spent with the team, he left a big impact on the franchise. Among the many special relationships he built here was the one he built with Dallas Turner, his teammate at Alabama.

“I know he’s watching over me,” he told the press in 2024. He also wore a T-shirt as a tribute to Jackson during training. Though the late CB’s locker no longer exists, Turner has a nameplate in memory of his friend above his own locker. J.J. McCarthy and Josh Metellus have one too. Since Jackson’s passing, Dallas Turner has also developed an extremely close relationship with his family.

Khyree Jackson is survived by his parents, Ebbony and Raymond, and a younger brother, Kolston. They now run the Khyree Jackson Foundation in honor of their son. In recognition of their work helping young student athletes, the NFL sent them a special gift.

The NFL extended some much-needed cheer to Khyree Jackson’s family

Khyree Jackson’s family has been doing some great work in the community. They were honored by the Vikings last year with the Inspire Change: Changemaker Award, and have also partnered with the franchise for the NFL’s ‘My Cause My Cleats’ campaign. However, the league took it upon itself to give the grieving family some joy.

The family was surprised with Super Bowl tickets during their appearance on Good Morning America in January. The surprise provided a moment of joy for the family amidst their grief, a gesture that honored their son’s love for the game.

“This is huge. I mean, we love it,” Raymond said on the show. “This is something that we always talked about. Khyree loved the game. We loved the game of football. That was our bond.”

Khyree Jackson’s family will forever be pained by his passing. But through their work in society and some special initiatives like this, they are trying to get by one day at a time. With the court formally announcing a judgment in his case, a tough fight comes to an end for his family.