Army cornerback Brandon Jackson has died in a car crash in New York state. He was 20.
The sophomore, from Queens, New York, was pronounced dead at the scene in Croton-on-Hudson on Sunday morning after his car crashed into a guardrail. Police said no other cars were involved.
“Words cannot describe the grief that our team is feeling over the loss of our brother and friend, Brandon,” Army coach Jeff Monken said in a statement. “He was a beloved teammate and our hearts are with his family at this time of tragedy.”
Jackson died just hours after starting for Army in their 31-14 victory over Rice on Saturday. He appeared in every game as a freshman in 2015.
“We will honor his life as we mourn the untimely death of a young man who had a promising future as a leader in service to our Nation,” Lt Gen Robert Caslen, superintendent of the US military academy, wrote in a letter to the West Point community. “Brandon internalized our watchwords, duty, honor, country.”
Police confirmed they are investigating the incident. Croton-on-Hudson is 19 miles south of the US military academy on the opposite side of the Hudson river.
Several Army players shared their grief on Sunday:
I still can't believe the news we received this afternoon. We all love you bro. RIP Brandon Action Jackson #BJack pic.twitter.com/B80BEyoblA
— Gervon Q. Simon (@GervonSimon) September 12, 2016
Life is a delicate thing...My eyes are dried from crying because I lost my brother. I will miss… https://t.co/vNnGIJ8KKE
— James D. Gibson III (@realjamesgibson) September 12, 2016
