The crash happened around 3:14 a.m. on northbound Route 4 near President Parkway. Police said the three were riding in a Dodge Charger driven by Hazel when a speeding Infiniti Q50 collided with the Charger and another car while changing lanes.
The Charger 4 left the roadway and struck several trees before coming to rest, police said. The driver of the Infiniti, identified by police as an Upper Marlboro woman, and his two passengers were not injured. The driver of the other car was not injured.
State police said investigators believe alcohol may have been a factor in the crash. No charges had been filed early Saturday morning.
After playing at Alabama and then Oregon, Jackson was drafted by the Vikings in the fourth round of this year’s NFL Draft. Litton played collegiately at Florida State and Penn State, and Hazel played at Maryland and Charlotte. Both the Vikings and Wise issued statements of condolence Saturday.
All three played for coach DaLawn Parrish and won multiple state championships as Parrish built a dynasty at Wise. When Parish stepped down in January after winning six titles, Jackson, Lytton and Hazell all attended a surprise party for the outgoing coach, Parish said Saturday.
“Great young guys,” Parrish said. “Hard worker, very caring. All three of them will always be a part of my life. As they told me I helped them grow, these young men helped me grow as a coach and as a person. I will always miss them, always love them, and at least I’m glad they were together in the end.
All three players were two-way stars for the Wise, providing highlights on both offense and defense. They helped contribute to a 43-game hitting streak for the Prince George’s County program that spanned multiple seasons and included three consecutive state titles.
Litton was named the All-Met Defensive Player of the Year in 2017. He began his college career at Florida State before transferring to Penn State.
Jackson played wide receiver and defensive back for the Cougars, but eventually settled into his role as a defensive star at the college level. A long, physical corner, he finished his career at Oregon as an All-Pac 12 selection.
Hazell, another standout at wide receiver and cornerback, went to Maryland. He flipped his commitment from West Virginia, giving the hometown Terps more momentum with local recruits. He played four seasons for Maryland before transferring to Charlotte for his final year of eligibility.
