A 24-year-old Brazilian soccer player was killed in a shocking accident in Florida.
Yuri dos Santos Vasconcelos was fatally struck by an SUV that crashed into a Lakeland, Florida house he was staying in, at approximately 4 pm on June 19, while he was in the kitchen.
The Lakeland Police Department reported that the driver of a 2016 Dodge Durango failed to obey a stop sign, hit two signposts, and then barreled into the house. Vasconcelos was declared dead at the scene. The driver and a passenger in the SUV and two other occupants of the house were unharmed. It is yet to be determined if the driver will face charges.
Vasconcelos, who was from Palmeira dos Indios in Brazil’s Alagoas state, had been in the US since 2021. He initially played soccer for Eastern Oklahoma State College before moving to Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama in 2023. He was playing for Lakeland United FC’s summer league team at the time of his death.
Tauan Salgado, Lakeland United FC’s director of soccer, praised Vasconcelos for his character, ethical conduct, and passion for the game. He pointed out that Vasconcelos’s dedication and selflessness on the field, especially in defense, made him a crucial part of the team. Gabriel de Queiroz, Faulkner University’s head coach for men’s soccer, spoke about Vasconcelos’s maturity and drive.
Lakeland United FC is an international program for young soccer players who aspire to become professional student-athletes. They played a match in Naples on June 27, during which the players held a tribute to Vasconcelos. His coaches believe that his memory will continue to inspire others.
