UPDATE: A Maryland court has just confirmed that Cori Clingman, 25, pleaded guilty to three counts of negligent homicide under the influence of alcohol for her role in a tragic crash that claimed the lives of Khyree Jackson, a rookie for the Minnesota Vikings, and two of his friends. This devastating incident occurred on July 6, 2024, in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
The plea agreement was reached on February 4, 2025, where Clingman faced a total of 13 charges. Sentencing is set to take place shortly, with reports indicating she may receive a five-year sentence for each count, although all but one year of each sentence is expected to be suspended. This could lead to her serving three one-year terms consecutively.
According to Maryland State Police, the crash happened shortly after 3 a.m. when Clingman, driving an Infiniti Q50 at speeds exceeding 100 mph, attempted to change lanes and collided with a Dodge Charger. Jackson was a front-seat passenger in the Dodge, which was struck and subsequently smashed into a Chevrolet Impala, sending it veering off the road where it hit multiple tree stumps.
The impact was catastrophic: Jackson, age 24, and the driver of the Charger, Isaiah Hazel, 23, were pronounced dead at the scene, while another passenger, Anthony Lytton Jr., 24, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. The driver of the Impala escaped unhurt, as did Clingman and her two passengers.
Jackson, just a month shy of his 25th birthday, was the fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and had recently participated in the Vikings’ minicamp, showcasing his potential for the upcoming season. His untimely death has sent shockwaves through the NFL community and beyond, as friends and fans mourn the loss of a promising athlete.
As sentencing approaches, the case raises urgent questions about road safety and the devastating impact of drunk driving. Authorities continue to emphasize the severe consequences of such reckless behavior, underscoring the need for greater awareness and responsibility on the roads.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and as we await the court’s final decision on Clingman’s sentencing.
