In the early morning of November 11, 2023, downtown Houston, Texas was the site of a massive car crash that resulted in the loss of six individuals, including ex-NFL star D.J. Hayden and two of his former teammates from the University of Houston.
Around 2 a.m., a speeding black Chrysler 300 ran through a red light, violently colliding with the football players’ black Acura SUV on Fannin Street. The force of the impact was so severe that it led to immediate fatalities and left several critically injured.
Among those who lost their lives in the accident were 33-year-old D.J. Hayden, a former cornerback for the Oakland Raiders, and his University of Houston teammates, Zachary McMillian and Ralph Oragwu. Additionally, 32-year-old Lauren Robinson-Holliday, an alumnus of Hightower High School and East Texas Baptist University, was also killed in the crash.
The identity of the Chrysler driver, who also perished in the collision, has yet to be disclosed. Also, a nearby homeless individual died due to the impact of the crash, and two others succumbed to their injuries after being taken to the hospital. Jeffery Lewis, another former University of Houston football player, is reported to have sustained life-threatening injuries and is currently undergoing treatment in the hospital, as well as an unidentified woman.
The Houston Police Department is conducting a thorough investigation into the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that the Chrysler 300 was significantly over the speed limit when it ran the red light, causing the fatal collision. The area, popular for its nightlife, was especially crowded at the time of the accident.
D.J. Hayden, a celebrated athlete, was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 2013. His untimely death, along with those of his former teammates, has deeply affected fans, colleagues, and the wider community.
As the investigation unfolds, the Houston Police Department is calling for anyone with information related to the crash to come forward.
