College football players from Texas A&M and the University of Utah were killed in a car crash in northern New Mexico on July 29 according to school officials from both schools.
Polo Manukainiu, a redshirt freshman defensive lineman from Texas A&M, and Gaius Vaenuku, a freshman defensive tackle at Utah, were killed in a rollover crash near Cuba according to ESPN.
A third person in the vehicle, Andrew Uhatafe, was also killed.
The crash occurred when the vehicle rolled "several times" according to New Mexico State Police. Police said the driver was not drunk at the time of the crash, though the driver was the only one wearing a seat belt.
"Everyone who knew Gaius is heartbroken today," Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham said Tuesday. "He was the kind of young man who lit up a room and his future in football and life had no boundaries. Words cannot express our devastation over the loss of Gaius. This is a sad day not only for University of Utah football, but for everyone whose lives Gaius crossed or would have crossed but for this tragedy. Our hearts go out to Gaius' and Salesi's families, and to the Texas A&M coaches and players. We are praying for the speedy recovery of Salesi and his father."
Another Utah freshman and passenger in the car, Salesi Uhatafe, survived the crash as did his father Salesi Sr.
Salesi Uhatafe is Manukainiu's stepbrother according to ESPN.
Texas A&M starting quarterback and last season's Heisman winner Johnny Manziel reacted to the news on his Twitter account.
The football players involved in the wreck were all graduates of Trinity High School in Euless, Texas. They were going from Utah to Texas.
"We lost a terrific young man," Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said in a statement. "Polo was loved by his teammates and coaches. Anyone who came in contact with him was struck by his sense of humor and smile. My heart aches for his mom and family members."
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