Cori Clingman faces 13 charges related to the death of Khyree Jackson

A driver involved in the crash that killed Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson and two others was arrested Thursday and charged with 13 counts, including DUI and criminally negligent vehicular homicide, the Prince George’s County (Maryland) state’s attorney said.

Cori Clingman, who was 23 at the time of the crash, remained in custody as of Thursday night and will have a bond hearing Friday, said prosecutor Aisha Braveboy. Clingman faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, Braveboy said.

“This was a terrible tragedy that should not have happened,” Braveboy said. “This really just starts our fight for justice.”

The three-car accident took place at 3:14 a.m. on July 6, 2024. Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr., two high school football teammates of Jackson’s, were also killed.

Hazel, 23, played at Maryland and Charlotte. Lytton, 24, played at Florida State and Penn State.

Maryland State Police said last summer that Hazel was driving a Dodge Charger with Jackson in the passenger seat when their car was struck by an Infiniti Q50 driven by Clingman, who was attempting to change lanes at a high rate of speed. Clingman’s car also hit a Chevrolet Impala. The Charger left the road and hit several tree stumps. According to police, Jackson and Hazel were pronounced dead at the scene, while Lytton was transported to a hospital before being pronounced dead by hospital staff.

Clingman, the two passengers in her car and the driver of the Impala were uninjured. According to Braveboy, Clingman went to high school with Jackson, Hazel and Lytton and that “they had all known each other for a very long time.”

Braveboy said Thursday that she could not add many details because the investigation is “ongoing.” She did not reveal Clingman’s exact blood alcohol content, but confirmed it was “at least” above the legal limit of 0.08% in Maryland.

Jackson, who was a month shy of his 25th birthday at the time of his death, was the Vikings’ fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He attended Spring Otas and Minicamp and endeared himself to a veteran team with his enthusiasm and confidence.

The Vikings donated $20,000 toward Jackson’s funeral expenses and also paid his $827,148 signing bonus to his estate.

A contingent of players and staff attended his funeral, with coach Kevin O’Connell being one of the featured speakers. Players wore a “KJ” sticker on the back of their helmets throughout the season, while coaches and staff wore pins with the same initials.

“You felt (Jackson) had such a laser focus on what his mission was and what his plan was,” O’Connell said during training camp. “It really showed up in the spring. He had a very, very good spring and is really looking forward to getting back to training camp and being well on his way (and) on that path to making a big impact on our team this year.

In an ESPN feature story that aired earlier this month, O’Connell said he “fell in love” with Jackson during his short time with the team this spring, and that the players and coaches rallied around his memory.

“We all grieve together and we all grieve in our own ways,” O’Connell said. “But there is nothing more powerful than grieving together, and we will do so in the way that best honors Khyree and his family.”