The Maryland woman responsible for a car crash that killed Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson and two of his former high school teammates has pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Cori Clingman, 25, entered her plea in a Prince George’s County courtroom on Nov. 7, admitting guilt to three counts of negligent homicide while under the influence of alcohol. Her sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 4, 2026.
The crash occurred in the early morning hours of July 6, 2024, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Investigators determined that Clingman was driving a silver Infiniti Q50 at a speed exceeding 100 miles per hour when she attempted to change lanes on northbound Pennsylvania Avenue. Her car collided with a Dodge Charger driven by 23-year-old Isaiah Hazel, sending the vehicle off the road. The Charger struck several tree stumps before coming to rest, causing fatal injuries to Hazel and his passengers, Jackson, 24, and Anthony Lytton Jr., 24. Jackson and Hazel were pronounced dead at the scene, while Lytton later died at a hospital.
According to Maryland State Police, Clingman’s vehicle also struck a Chevrolet Impala during the incident. Clingman, her two passengers and the driver of the Impala were not injured. A test later confirmed that Clingman’s blood alcohol concentration was above Maryland’s legal limit of 0.08%.
Authorities said that prior to the crash, Clingman and the three victims had spent the evening at a local restaurant and bar before leaving in separate vehicles. Evidence presented during the investigation suggested that one or more of the cars involved was traveling at very high speed before impact. Clingman was initially charged with 13 counts, including negligent manslaughter and driving under the influence, though most of the charges will be dismissed as part of her plea agreement.
Prosecutors have said they will recommend a sentence of five years for each of the three counts, with all but one year suspended on each count and the remaining years to run consecutively. If accepted by the court, Clingman is expected to serve about three years in prison.
Court records indicate that Clingman had prior speeding violations, including one incident in which she was cited for driving 100 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone. Following her arrest, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson described the case as a “preventable tragedy,” emphasizing that driving while impaired and speeding are both crimes that often lead to devastating consequences.
Khyree Jackson, a native of Maryland, was only one month shy of his 25th birthday at the time of his death. After an unconventional path to professional football, which included time away from the sport before returning to play at Alabama and Oregon, he had been selected by the Vikings in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. His death came just as he was preparing for his first NFL training camp.
The Vikings organization responded by donating $20,000 to help cover Jackson’s funeral costs and ensuring that his signing bonus of more than $800,000 was paid to his estate. Hazel and Lytton, who had also played college football, were remembered by family and friends as talented athletes and devoted teammates.
Sources: People, Minnesota Star Tribune, ESPN
