Ex-NFL CB D.J. Hayden among 6 killed in Houston car crash

Former NFL cornerback DJ Hayden was among six people killed in Houston early Saturday morning after a car ran a red light and caused a collision with another vehicle. Hayden was 33 years old.

Hayden’s former University of Houston teammates, Zach McMillian and Ralph Oragwu, were also killed in the crash, the school confirmed. The driver who ran the red light was also pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Police said four people died at the scene and two others died after being transported to a local hospital. One woman was taken to hospital with “life-threatening injuries,” police told the Chronicle, while another person was on alert and speaking with investigators.

The University of Houston also said former player Jeffery Lewis was injured but recovering.

A two-time All-Conference USA honoree with Houston, Hayden made national headlines after a training collision in 2012 tore his heart apart. He was released from the hospital a week later and was selected by the then-Oakland Raiders with the 12th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Hayden recorded 328 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 4 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles in 92 games (41 starts) with the Raiders (2013-16), Detroit Lions (2017), Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-20) and the Washington Commanders (2021).

McMillian was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection at cornerback while playing for the Cougars from 2010 to 2013. Oragwu played on the offensive line from 2009 to 2013.

“The entire University of Houston community is heartbroken by the tragic deaths of former football student-athletes DJ Hayden, Zachary McMillian and Ralph Oragwu earlier today, and our thoughts and prayers are with Jeffery Lewis in his upcoming recovery,” the school said in a statement. statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends and loved ones, as we collectively mourn the loss of three people who had an indelible impact on every life they touched.”

Information from Reuters was used in this report.