California Student Who Had Just Accepted College Football Scholarship Dies in Crash

A 17-year-old California high school student who had accepted a college football scholarship has passed away in a car crash.

On Monday, the athletic department of Warren High School in Downey, California, posted a message on Facebook announcing that student Jaylon Connish, 17, was one of the victims in a fatal car accident that took place Saturday night. The crash also injured two other members of the school’s football team.

According to a news release from the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 10:45 p.m. on Interstate 5.

Based on a preliminary investigation, the vehicle — driven by an 18-year-old — “veered to the right and collided into a raised asphalt curb and then traveled off the roadway into a metal light pole.” Authorities say the car then rolled over “several times” down an embankment.

Officials add that only the driver was allegedly wearing a seatbelt at the time. At this time, no charges have been filed.

In their message, school faculty remember Jaylon as “a tremendous athlete and an even better young man.”

“For anyone who knew Jaylon, they could attest to the fact that he was a remarkable young man. He always had a smile on his face, and that smile truly lifted your spirit. He was a tremendous athlete and an even better young man,” they wrote, adding, “He had an unparalleled work ethic and an indomitable attitude. He constantly challenged himself to be better and held himself to the highest standard. He was a great human being, and he always did things right.”

The statement also noted that Jaylon was set to attend Western New Mexico University in the fall, “where he planned on continuing his football career and studying business and accounting.”

While speaking to NBC Los Angeles, coach Kevin Pearson said Jaylon had accepted a football scholarship at the college and that the university’s officials are “devastated” to hear of his passing.

NBC Los Angeles adds that additional information about the driver as well as the other passengers, who are believed to still be hospitalized as of Friday night, has yet to be released.