New Mexico sophomore safety Markel Byrd was killed in a single car accident on Tuesday, the school announced.
The San Diego native was driving home for the holidays with his girlfriend when their car suffered a blowout on the highway. Both passengers were ejected from the vehicle, and Byrd died instantly, the school said in a statement. His girlfriend, who was not identified, was taken to a local hospital where she was listed in critical condition.
"This is an absolute tragedy. Markel Byrd was an outstanding person and student-athlete and we will miss him," New Mexico head coach Bob Davie said in the statement.