Tag: accident

Apr 13, 2024; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Julian Fleming (3) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a warmup practice prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

WR Julian Fleming charged in fatal ATV accident

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Penn State and Ohio State wideout Julian Fleming faces multiple felony charges related to an ATV crash in May that killed his girlfriend.

The charges filed against Fleming, 24, in Bradford County, Pa., include homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle and driving under the influence.

Fleming appeared at a preliminary hearing Wednesday and received a $75,000 bond. His attorney said Fleming’s family will pay the bond, according to The Athletic.

Pennsylvania State Police said Alyssa Boyd, 23, died on May 23 after the ATV Fleming was driving struck a deer in Columbia Township. The accident reports said neither person was wearing safety equipment and Fleming’s blood-alcohol level was between 0.10 and 0.16 percent. The Pennsylvania legal limit is 0.08 percent.

Boyd was pronounced dead at the scene from “extensive injuries,” while Fleming was transported to the hospital. A deceased deer also was found at the site.

“This was a tragic accident for everyone involved,” Fleming’s attorney, David Bahuriak, told The Athletic. “Our hearts go out to the family of the young woman, but there is no crime here.”

In high school, Fleming was ranked by the 247Sports composite as the No. 1 receiver and No. 3 overall player in the Class of 2020 while playing at Southern Columbia High School in Catawissa, Pa. He was Gatorade’s Pennsylvania Player of the Year in 2019.

Fleming spent his first four seasons (2020-23) at Ohio State, where he caught 79 passes for 963 yards and seven touchdowns.

He played his final season in 2024 at Penn State as a graduate transfer. He appeared in 16 games and caught 14 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown, but injuries limited his opportunities.

Fleming was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. He planned to sign with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in early May but failed his physical.

–Field Level Media

May 28, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Former American football player John Elway in attendance between the Cleveland Guardians against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Report: John Elway won’t be charged in death of business partner

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John Elway will not be charged in the April incident in which his longtime business partner fell off a golf cart driven by the Hall of Fame quarterback and later died, a Denver television station reported.

Jeff Sperbeck was 62 when he passed away in La Quinta, Calif.

Chad Bianco, the sheriff in Riverside County, Calif., told 9NEWS that the investigation confirmed the initial findings of an accident and that the cause of death was blunt force trauma.

“We’ve talked to everyone involved and we found nothing new,” he told the station. “There was nothing criminal. It was what we’ve been saying all along that this was a tragic accident.”

An official announcement from the sheriff’s department is due soon, according to 9NEWS.

Elway, Sperbeck and their wives were in the desert to attend the Stagecoach music festival, TMZ reported in April.

Elway, 65, and Sperbeck founded 7Cellars winery together in 2013. Sperbeck also was Elway’s longtime agent.

Sperbeck, certified by the NFL, represented more than 100 NFL players as an agent and business adviser over a 30-year career, according to his bio on the winery’s website.

“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said in a statement after Sperbeck’s death. “There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me.”

Elway played for the Denver Broncos from 1983-98, winning Super Bowl championships in each of his final two seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. He returned to the team as an executive in 2011, working as the general manager through 2020 and as president of football operations in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Apr 13, 2024; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Julian Fleming (3) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a warmup practice prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Ex-Big Ten WR Julian Fleming involved in fatal ATV crash

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Penn State and Ohio State receiver Julian Fleming was injured in an ATV accident that killed a woman, police said.

The woman, 23-year-old Alyssa Boyd, was identified as his girlfriend by multiple sources.

Pennsylvania State Police said the accident occurred Friday night in Columbia Township when the ATV on which the two were riding hit a deer that had jumped into the roadway.

Fleming, 24, was driving the ATV, and Boyd was the passenger. She was pronounced dead at the scene from “extensive injuries,” while Fleming was transported to the hospital, police said. Neither had on safety equipment, according to the police report.

A deceased deer was found at the site. The accident investigation is continuing.

Lions247 reported Fleming has been released from the hospital.

In high school, Fleming was ranked by the 247Sports composite as the No. 1 receiver and No. 3 overall player in the Class of 2020 while playing at
Southern Columbia High School in Catawissa, Pa. He was Gatorade’s Pennsylvania Player of the Year in 2019.

He spent his first four seasons at Ohio State, where he caught 79 passes for 963 yards and seven touchdowns.

Given the strength of the Buckeyes’ wide receiver room, he spent his final season at Penn State as a graduate transfer. He appeared in 16 games and caught 14 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown, but injuries limited his opportunities.

Fleming was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Reports Sunday said he had been expected to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers but failed a physical because of hip and back injuries.

According to Boyd’s Instagram account, she graduated from Central Columbia High School in Bloomsburg, Pa., in 2020 and went on to study at Alabama. Her most recent post was a photo of her with Fleming, dressed in his Nittany Lions uniform, that she captioned, “Proud of you 3,” followed by a white heart.

–Field Level Media

May 28, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Former American football player John Elway in attendance between the Cleveland Guardians against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Report: John Elway driving golf cart when friend injured

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Pro Football Hall of Fame member John Elway was driving the golf cart when his former agent fell out and sustained a life-threatening head injury last weekend, TMZ reported Wednesday.

Jeff Sperbeck, 61, a longtime friend and business partner of the legendary Denver Broncos quarterback, is on life support after the incident Saturday in La Quinta, Calif., per the report.

TMZ confirmed that Elway was behind the wheel when Sperbeck fell off the back of the moving cart and struck his head on asphalt.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection told KESQ it responded to an accident involving a golf cart and transported an unnamed patient to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating the incident.

Elway and Sperbeck and their wives attended the Stagecoach music festival earlier Saturday in nearby Indio, Calif., according to TMZ.

Elway, 64, and Sperbeck founded 7Cellars winery together in 2013.

Sperbeck, certified by the NFL, represented more than 100 NFL players as an agent and business adviser over a 30-year career, according to his bio on the winery’s website.

Elway played for the Broncos from 1983-98, winning Super Bowl championships in each of his final two seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. He returned to the team as an executive in 2011, working as the general manager through 2020 and as president of football operations in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (3) defends during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Bucs S Jordan Whitehead hurt in car accident, out Sunday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting safety Jordan Whitehead suffered injuries in a car accident Sunday that will keep him out of Sunday’s regular-season finale against the New Orleans Saints.

Whitehead was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list, and the Buccaneers signed Ryan Neal from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

The team said the accident occurred as Whitehead was heading to practice. Details about his injuries were not released.

Whitehead, 27, started 12 games for the Bucs this season, missing four due to a pectoral injury. He had 79 tackles and three passes defensed, and he played 91 percent of the defensive snaps when active.

He signed a two-year, $9 million free-agent deal with the Buccaneers in March after two seasons with the New York Jets. He began his career with four seasons in Tampa Bay before returning.

Whitehead has appeared in 105 career games (101 starts) and made 557 tackles (31 for loss). He also has 2.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 45 passes defensed.

The Buccaneers (9-7) will play for the NFC South title on Sunday. A victory against the Saints seals the division and a playoff spot. If the Buccaneers lose and the Atlanta Falcons (8-8) defeat the Carolina Panthers, the Falcons win the division.

–Field Level Media

Feb 5, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) talks to the media during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs’ Rashee Rice takes ‘full responsibility’ for crash

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Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice met with Dallas police Wednesday and apologized on social media for his role in a weekend car accident that injured four people.

“Today I met with Dallas PD investigators regarding Saturday’s accident. I take full responsibility for my part in this matter and will continue to cooperate with the necessary authorities,” he posted to his Instagram story. “I sincerely apologize to everyone impacted in Saturday’s accident.”

A Lamborghini sport utility vehicle leased by Rice was one of two speeding sports cars that authorities say caused a chain-reaction crash on a downtown Dallas highway on Saturday night.

The occupants of the Lamborghini and a Corvette left the scene without checking to see if anyone needed medical attention or providing their information, according to police.

Attorney Royce West said earlier this week that Rice is cooperating with police “and will take all necessary steps to address this situation responsibly.”

The Chiefs and the NFL are monitoring the developing situation.

Rice, who turns 24 on April 22, grew up in the North Texas suburb of North Richland Hills and attended college in Dallas at SMU.

He recorded 79 catches and 938 yards with a team-leading seven touchdown receptions in 16 games (eight starts) after being selected by Kansas City in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He also had 26 catches for 262 yards and a score in four playoff games to help the Chiefs secure their second straight Super Bowl title.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Death of ex-WR Mike Williams investigated for ‘unprescribed narcotics’

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The death of former NFL wide receiver Mike Williams is being investigated after police received word that he might have been given unprescribed drugs.

In an email to multiple news outlets Tuesday, the Tampa Police Department said it’s looking into the possibility Williams received “unprescribed narcotics by an outside party” while he was hospitalized after a construction accident.

“We take all allegations of criminal activity seriously, and detectives are working tirelessly on this active investigation,” the police email said.

The Hillsborough County (Fla.) Medical Examiner’s office is also investigating Williams’ death.

Williams died on Sept. 12 at age 36. He suffered injuries in a construction accident that reportedly left him partially paralyzed, and he spent more than two weeks in the hospital before his death.

Williams was a Buffalo, N.Y., native who played nearby at Syracuse University. He burst onto the scene in 2010 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, catching 65 passes for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns. His receiving TD total set the single-season club mark at the time for any player, and he wound up second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.

Williams finished his career with 223 catches for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns in 63 games (52 starts) across four years with Tampa Bay and one with the Buffalo Bills.

–Field Level Media

Apr 23, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A general overall view of the line of scrimmage as Southern California Trojans center Andrew Milek snaps the ball during the spring game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Austin Peay freshman DB dies following single-vehicle crash

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Austin Peay freshman defensive back Jeremiah Collins died Friday night in a single-vehicle accident near the school’s campus in Clarksville, Tenn. He was 18.

Per the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Collins was driving his 2004 GMC Canyon pickup truck at a high rate of speed and rolled his vehicle after attempting to exit I-24 at Briley Parkway West toward Clarksville.

Police said there were no signs of impairment at the scene. Collins was transported to TriStar Skyline Medical Center in North Nashville, Tenn., and was pronounced dead.

“We are all devastated and heartbroken by the loss of Jeremiah Collins,” Austin Peay coach Scotty Walden said. “Jeremiah was an outstanding young man who brought an incredible attitude and energy every day. We grieve with the Collins family for their tragic loss and lift them up in prayer.”

Collins, who was from Louisville, Ky., graduated from Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn., in the spring.

–Field Level Media

Feb 2, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; A general overall view of helmets at the line of scrimmage as West long snapper Chris Stoll of Penn State snaps the ball against the East during the Shrine Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Dartmouth coach loses leg after bike accident

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Dartmouth football coach Buddy Teevens had his right leg amputated and sustained spinal-cord injuries in last month’s bicycle accident.

Teevens’ wife, Kirsten, provided an update on the 66-year-old coach’s condition on Tuesday night.

“We would like to thank everyone for the incredible outpouring of love and support for Buddy,” she said in a statement released by the Ivy League school. “It has been nothing short of amazing and we are so grateful. As Buddy navigates through the healing of his injuries, he is experiencing many positive improvements. Unfortunately, as a result of the accident, Buddy’s right leg was amputated due to the severity of the injury.”

Teevens was struck by a truck at 8:40 p.m. on March 20 in St. Augustine, Fla., while he and his wife were cycling home from a restaurant, according to police. He was not wearing a helmet and the driver was traveling at 50 mph at the time of the accident, per reports.

“He is alert and communicating with us and ready for transfer to a premier rehab facility to continue healing,” his wife added. “Spinal cord injuries are challenging, and if anybody is up for the challenge, it is Buddy. We appreciate your continued respect of our privacy as we navigate this ongoing recovery process as a family.”

Teevens is the winningest coach in Dartmouth history at 117-101-2, including 83-70-1 in Ivy League play.

He played quarterback at Dartmouth in the late 1970s and was Ivy League Player of the Year in 1978. He has coached for more than 30 years — 23 at Dartmouth.

Teevens’ head-coaching jobs have taken him to Maine (1985-86), Dartmouth (1987-1991, 2005-present), Tulane (1992-96) and Stanford (2002-04). His overall record is 151-178-2. He was the Ivy League Coach of the Year in 2019 and 2021.

In his absence, associate head coach Sammy McCorkle is serving as the acting head coach during spring practice. The Big Green have their spring game on May 6 and will open the regular season Sept. 16 at New Hampshire.

–Field Level Media

Mar 4, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisiana wide receiver Michael Jefferson (WO27) participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

WR Michael Jefferson, draft prospect, seriously injured in car accident

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Louisiana wide receiver Michael Jefferson was seriously injured in a car accident on Sunday and required multiple surgeries this week.

Jefferson, 23, was one of three drivers involved in the collision Sunday night in Mobile, Ala., according to a statement from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The release said the 2019 Chevrolet Impala driven by Jefferson collided head-on with a 2014 Dodge Charger, which was then hit by a third vehicle. The driver of the Charger was Charles Dunn, a 55-year-old man who was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt.

The extent of Jefferson’s injuries is unclear. Jon Perzley of Sportstars serves as Jefferson’s agent, and told ESPN the wide receiver needed multiple operations.

He had 51 receptions for 810 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022. He caught 29 total touchdowns in his college career, which included three seasons at Alabama State and the past two for Louisiana.

Jefferson was invited to the Scouting Combine in February and ran a 4.56-second time in the 40-yard dash with a 37-inch vertical.

–Field Level Media