Players killed in N.M. car crash

[JRLeft]

College football players from Texas A&M and the University of Utah were killed in a single-car accident in northern New Mexico on Monday night, according to officials from both schools.

Polo Manukainiu, a redshirt freshman defensive lineman at Texas A&M, and Gaius Vaenuku, an incoming freshman defensive tackle at Utah, were killed in a rollover accident near Cuba, N.M. A third person in the car, Andrew Uhatafe, 13, also was killed. New Mexico State Police said the accident occurred when the driver overcorrected and the vehicle rolled several times. Police said alcohol wasn't a factor, and it appears the driver was the only one in the car wearing a seatbelt.

Police said Manukainiu and Uhatafe were ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Vaenuku was transported from the scene, but was pronounced dead in an ambulance en route to a hospital.

Another incoming Utah freshman and passenger in the car -- offensive tackle Salesi Uhatafe -- survived, as did his father, Salesi Sr.

Salesi Uhatafe is Manukainiu's stepbrother and Andrew "Lolo" Uhatafe's brother.

"Everyone who knew Gaius is heartbroken today," Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham said Tuesday. "He was the kind of young man who lit up a room and his future in football and life had no boundaries. Words cannot express our devastation over the loss of Gaius. This is a sad day not only for University of Utah football, but for everyone whose lives Gaius crossed or would have crossed but for this tragedy. Our hearts go out to Gaius' and Salesi's families, and to the Texas A&M coaches and players. We are praying for the speedy recovery of Salesi and his father."

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The players' teammates, and other college football coaches and players, offered their condolences on social media on Tuesday morning.

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, tweeted about Manukainiu:
Johnny ManzielVerified account ‏@JManziel2

Heart hurts waking up to news about Polo.. I think I speak for everyone on our team when I say we love you brother you will be missed





http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9521691/texas-aggies-polo-manukainiu-utah-utes-gaius-vaenuku-killed-car-crash

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. Two things that I wish were more widely known ...

1. Seat belts are a good thing, but only if they're actually used.
2. SUVs are NOT cars. They don't handle like cars, don't have the center of gravity of cars.

RIP, folks.