Drunk driver pleads guilty in crash that killed Vikings’ Khyree Jackson
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The woman who caused the car crash that killed Khyree Jackson, who was a rookie with the Minnesota Vikings last year at the time of her death, pleaded guilty to three counts of negligent homicide while under the influence of alcohol on Friday.
Cori Clingman, 25, pleaded guilty in a Maryland court and will likely serve three years in prison. Prosecutors will recommend a five-year sentence for each count.
“Incidents like these are not just accidents,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson. “They are preventable tragedies that occur through conscious choices.”
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Khyree Jackson answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 29, 2024, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. (Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Clingman is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 4 after facing a total of 13 charges prior to the plea deal.
Clingman was allegedly driving over 100 mph while intoxicated when he caused a three-car crash on July 6, 2024. The crash killed Jackson along with two of his high school teammates, Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy (9) surrounds Minnesota Vikings cornerback Khyree Jackson (31) during Minnesota Vikings rookie camp on May 10, 2024, at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota. (Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Jackson and Hazel were pronounced dead at the scene, while Lytton was transported to a hospital before being pronounced dead by hospital staff, according to police. Clingman and his two passengers were unharmed.
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A tribute to Minnesota Vikings player Khyree Jackson is displayed on screen before the preseason game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Minneapolis. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Jackson, who was a month shy of his 25th birthday at the time of his death, was Minnesota’s fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft after playing football at Maryland and Charlotte.
Lytton, who was 24, played at Florida State and Penn State.
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Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and the NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures such as Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.