University of Pittsburgh football recruit Mason Alexander has died following a car accident.
Alexander, 18, signed with Pitt in December and had enrolled early in the school.
He died Saturday night in Fishers, Indiana after a vehicle he was a passenger in swerved off the road, hit a tree and caught on fire, ESPN reported, citing the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
The accident reportedly came after the BMW which Alexander was in tried to pass a another car, before swerving to avoid a head-on collision with a third vehicle traveling the opposite direction.
The driver of the BMW had tried to pass the first car just before a hillcrest, and saw the other car traveling in its direction only after going over the hill, cops said in a press release.
Alexander died at the scene and Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi later confirmed the tragic news in a statement.
Pitt football recruit Mason Alexander died in a car crash on Saturday night
Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi confirmed Alexander’s tragic death in a statement
‘I received a call this morning that no parent, teacher or coach ever wants to get — the news of the sudden loss of a young and promising life. Our entire program is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Mason Alexander’s passing,’ Narduzzi said.
‘Mason had just enrolled at Pitt in January following his early graduation from Indiana’s Hamilton Southeastern High School. Even during that short time, he made a great impression on all of us. Mason was proud and excited to be a Panther, and we felt the same way about having him in our Pitt family. He will always be a Panther to us. The Alexander family and Mason’s many loved ones and friends will be in our prayers.’
Alexander, a four-star recruit according to Rivals, was set to begin his college career with Pitt in spring practices later this month.
The freshman cornerback spoke to the media as recently as Wednesday.
His former high school teammate, Peyton Daniels, honored Alexander with a heartfelt social media post following the news.
‘Mason lit up every room he was in,’ he captioned a photo of the pair on X.
‘Brought joy and playfulness to everything and everyone. He could change the entire direction of your day with one interaction. Mason is the embodiment of exceptional. Rest Easy 15. Love forever.’
More to follow
