East Central High School (St. Leon, Ind.) football star Bretton M. Fox, 18, died in a crash on an icy road early Thursday, Feb. 21, according to the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Office.
The accident occurred at 7:51 a.m. on State Route 1 at Whitaker Lane, near the Tanner Valley United Methodist Church. He was driving his 2004 Dodge truck, which appeared to have hit black ice, according to the sheriff’s release.
The report states Fox lost control, exiting the roadway on the south side and down an embankment. The car rolled to its side and struck a tree and utility pole. Multiple agencies, including faculty members of East Central, came to the scene and assisted.
Fox was a decorated player from the football program, perennially one of the best in its class in Indiana. The linebacker had recently committed to play for Thomas More University, signing with the Saints on Monday.
Fox was a key contributor to East Central’s 2017 state championship team. Last season, he had nine sacks and 21 tackles for loss.
Former East Central coach Justin Roden, now head coach at Noblesville, wrote on Twitter he’s not in a good place after hearing of Fox’s passing.
“I have some great ones of him on the field. He was a thumper and hard-nosed player. He also was extremely funny and entertaining. He would drive me mad one minute and in tears in laughter the next. He also made a number of memorable plays for us his junior year on our run towards a state title,” he told the Enquirer.
Roden wrote on Twitter he keeps looking at the last message he got from Fox Nov. 14, where the senior thanked Roden for what he did for him and told him he was a huge role model.
I’m not in a good place after losing one of my former players today. I have read his last message to me over & over and it cuts deeper and deeper each time. You will forever be remembered Brett. My prayers to the entire EC community & especially the Fox family. pic.twitter.com/5uYF29lCHQ
— CoachRoden (@rodenjustin) February 21, 2019
Thomas More University head football coach Trevor Stellman issued this statement after learning of Fox’s death.
“Brett was not only a great football player, but more importantly was a great young man. We knew that Brett was not only destined for a great career here at Thomas More, but that he was going to do great things after his time at TMU,” Stellman wrote. “Today our football family grieves with Heather, Kevin, Ryan and the entire Fox family. We are heartbroken over the news and will continue to keep their family in our thoughts and prayers.”
