Former Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback D.J. Hayden was among six people killed in Houston early Saturday morning when a car sped through a red light causing a collision with another vehicle and several pedestrians, according to Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle.
Hayden was 33.
According to Houston police, four people were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash and another two died after being transported to the hospital.
Hayden was a two-time All-Conference USA selection during his time with the Houston Cougars. In his senior season with the team, Hayden made national headlines when a collision in practice caused a tear in the inferior vena cava in his heart, a life-threatening injury. He recovered and was picked 12th overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2013 NFL draft less than a year later.
The Raiders Family is mourning the tragic loss of former cornerback D.J. Hayden. pic.twitter.com/cZPn9z181D
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 11, 2023
After playing out his rookie contract with the Raiders, Hayden spent one season with the Detroit Lions before signing a three-year deal with the Jaguars in free agency in 2018. He appeared in 30 games with the Jaguars and made 15 starts.