Former Miami football player JoJo Nicolas dies from injuries sustained in Tuesday car crash
Just a day after being involved in a serious car accident, former Miami safety JoJo Nicolas died from injuries sustained in the crash. According to the Miami Herald, Nicolas died at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He was just 24 years old.
In a statement read outside of the Ryder Trauma Center at the hospital, Nicolas’ family thanked the public for the outpouring of support and prayers since the accident.
“We would like to thank everyone for their support, community efforts, love and prayers all across the nation. At 5 o’clock today we regret to inform you we lost the life of a brother, a son, a grandson and an athlete at the University of Miami,” Nicolas’ brother Abner Davis said.
The family was joined by Miami coach Al Golden, who released a statement on behalf of the Miami football team.
“The University of Miami community suffered a deep loss with the passing of JoJo Nicolas,” Golden said in the statement. “For all of us who were fortunate to know JoJo—to coach him, teach him, play alongside him or simply befriend him—we will forever carry his memory with us. Our prayers go out to his family and his loved ones and he will always be a cherished member of our family.”
The accident took place shortly before 5 a.m. Tuesday morning when Nicolas’ car ran into the back of an 18-wheeler and became wedged underneath its trailer. Police said Tuesday that it is too early to determine whether alcohol or speed played a factor in the crash.
“Those could be contributing factors. It’s still part of the investigation,” Miami Beach detective Vivian Hernandez told the Sun Sentinel on Tuesday. “They took measurements and that will take a little bit of time.”
Nicolas suited up for the Hurricanes from 2007-2011 and briefly played for the New York Giants in 2012.
“The entire University of Miami family mourns the loss of JoJo Nicolas, who passed away earlier this evening,” Miami athletic director Blake James said in statement. “JoJo was a valued member of our community, our school, and our football program and his loss is devastating to everyone he touched. On behalf of the University, I send our prayers to JoJo’s family, friends and teammates. He will forever be a part of The U.”
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