A tragic series of car crashes across the United States has claimed the lives of multiple high school football players in recent months, leaving communities devastated and schools in mourning.
In the most recent incident, 16-year-old Brian Moss from Viera High School in Brevard County, Florida, died on December 24, 2025, after a car accident. His coach described the loss as devastating, stating it was a tough loss of a great kid and an excellent student.
The Viera High School community expressed profound sorrow over Moss’s death, with the school community grappling with grief over a young life full of promise taken too soon.
Earlier in the fall, three students from E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, were killed on October 8, 2025, when their vehicle crashed on Rosehill Road. The crash claimed the lives of Jai-Hyon Elliot, Trevor Merritt, and Nicholas Williams. The vehicle ran off the road and hit a telephone pole before crashing into a tree.
All three victims were members of the E.E. Smith football team. Friends and family described them as great students and star athletes with aspirations of playing in the NFL, with recruiters already attending their games.
Cumberland County Schools provided grief counselors for students and faculty following the tragedy. “It’s hard to really even comprehend. We’re saying we’re crying, we’re mourning, we’re hurting. And right now, we’re just present to support, to just be a listening ear and to just support everyone involved in this tragic situation,” a school official said.
The scheduled football game was postponed following the deaths, and school officials showed up at the school to offer support, noting the shattered hopes and dreams of the young men and their families.
In another tragic incident on November 17, 2025, 14-year-old Alexander Hessler, a freshman football player from Reitz High School, died in a single-vehicle crash on Orchard Road in Evansville, Indiana. The vehicle became airborne and struck a tree. Hessler suffered critical injuries and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Speed was believed to have been a significant factor in the accident, though drug or alcohol use was not suspected.
The Reitz High School football program identified Hessler in a public Facebook post, describing him as a valued member of the freshman football team and a cherished part of the school community. “He was known for his cordial spirit and contagious smile, forming lasting friendships and earning respect and love from all who knew him,” the post stated.
On September 10, 2025, 15-year-old David Clemones from Armuchee High School in Floyd County, Georgia, was killed when two pickup trucks collided. Clemones was a passenger in one of the vehicles. He was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Friends and teammates gathered at the crash site to build a memorial and remember Clemones. Teammates described him as energetic and happy, always with a smile on his face, and noted that the tragedy impacted the whole community.
Armuchee High’s principal released a statement acknowledging the heavy hearts within the school community. Counselors were made available at the school as students and staff coped with the sudden loss. Authorities have not indicated whether charges will be filed in the incident.
Beyond the United States, the soccer world also experienced tragedy when two people, including 28-year-old Diogo Jota of Liverpool FC and 25-year-old André Silva, died on Thursday, July 3, 2025, near Zamora, Spain. Their car went off the road and caught fire past midnight. The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed the deaths, noting that firefighters were called in as the fire spread into nearby vegetation.
Jota had recently married Rute Cardoso. They had three children. Jota had also recently helped Portugal win the Nations League. Liverpool FC stated the club was devastated by the tragic passing and requested privacy for the families, friends, teammates, and club staff.
Portuguese soccer officials described Portuguese soccer as completely devastated by the losses. The federation requested a minute of silence at an upcoming match. Portugal’s Prime Minister commented on the unexpected and tragic deaths, extending condolences to the families and calling it a sad day for soccer and sports.
These tragedies have highlighted the devastating impact of vehicle accidents on young athletes and their communities, leaving families, schools, and sports programs struggling to cope with unimaginable losses.