Reports put former Jaguar D.J. Hayden as a passenger in accident that claimed his life
The Houston Chronicle and the family of one of the deceased victims in the crash that claimed the life of former Jacksonville Jaguars player D.J. Hayden confirmed that Hayden and three former University of Houston teammates were passengers in an Acura SUV that was hit by a speeding, red-light running Chrysler 300 in the early-morning hours on Saturday on a downtown Houston street.
Hayden, who played three years for the Jaguars from 2018-2020, was among the six people killed in the two-car accident in Houston. Police said the driver of the Chrysler 300 was also killed and four people in all died at the scene, with two passing away after being transported to the hospital.
Houston Police said three people in the Acura were ejected by the forced of the crash but did not say which three. Also killed was a pedestrian police identified as homeless.
Police haven't officially confirmed the names of the dead. But the University of Houston confirmed the identities of Hayden and three former teammates from the 2011 and 2012 UH Cougars who were involved. Also killed were Ralph Oragwu and Zach McMillian, with Jeffrey Lewis surviving.
The Houston Chronicle has reported Hayden was among the passengers in the Acura and the family of another deceased person, Lauren Robinson-Holliday, confirmed to Houston TV station KHOU that their daughter and the four former Houston football players were all in the SUV.
Hayden was the Conference USA defensive player of the year for the Cougars in 2011 and McMillian was all-conference. Oragwu was an offensive lineman and Lewis a defensive back.
McMillian is the son of former NFL cornerback Audray McMillian, who played nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Oilers between 1985-1993.
Hayden, 33, was the first-round draft pick in 2013 by the Raiders. He played nine NFL seasons four with the Raiders and one season each with Detroit and Washington in addition to his time with the Jaguars.
The Jaguars signed Hayden to a three-year, $19 million contract on March 14, 2018. Hayden played 30 games and started 15 for the Jags at cornerback and nickel corner, with one interception, 11 passes defensed and a forced fumble. He was a sure tackler, with 105 as a Jaguar, eight for losses.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: D.J. Hayden was the passenger in a car hit by a speeding driver in Houston
