New Mexico safety Markel Byrd died Tuesday afternoon in a single car accident near Gallup, New Mexico, according to a UNM press release.
According to the release, Byrd was driving home for the holidays with his girlfriend on I-40 when their car suffered a blowout. Both Byrd and his girlfriend were ejected from the vehicle and Byrd died instantly. The passenger was taken to a local hospital.
“This is an absolute tragedy. Markel Byrd was an outstanding person and student-athlete and we will miss him,” head coach Bob Davie said in a statement “I was with the family late Tuesday night and obviously they are devastated.