Cori Clingman pleads guilty in crash that killed Khyree Jackson and two friends

Cori Clingman has pleaded guilty to three counts of negligent homicide while under the influence of alcohol in connection with the July 6, 2024 crash that killed Minnesota rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson, along with former high school teammates Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr. The plea, entered in Prince George’s County, Maryland, resolves a case that has gripped Jackson’s hometown community and the football world for more than a year.

What the plea means for the Khyree Jackson case

Under the agreement presented in court, prosecutors said they will recommend a sentence equivalent to 15 years with all but three years suspended, leaving three years of incarceration followed by supervised release. Each negligent-homicide count carries a statutory maximum of five years. A formal sentencing hearing is set for February 2026. Until then, Clingman is on home monitoring with conditions set by the court.

The plea streamlines a case that initially featured 13 charges, including impaired driving counts and negligent manslaughter. By admitting guilt to the three negligent-homicide charges tied to alcohol, Clingman accepts criminal responsibility for causing the chain of events that led to the deadly wreck.

How investigators say the crash unfolded

Investigators determined that just after 3 a.m. on MD-4 (Pennsylvania Avenue) in Prince George’s County, two vehicles connected to the same group of friends were traveling at extreme speeds in separate lanes. Clingman, then 23, was driving an Infiniti when she swerved at high speed and made contact with a red Dodge Charger driven by Hazel, with Jackson and Lytton as passengers. The Charger left the roadway and struck fixed objects off the shoulder. All three young men in the Charger died at the scene.

Case files presented in court describe a volatile mix of speed and impairment. Data and witness statements placed Clingman’s vehicle in excess of 100 mph moments before impact; the Charger was also traveling at a triple-digit rate. Toxicology evidence and on-scene observations supported the alcohol-related counts. Authorities repeatedly emphasized that the collision was preventable and used the case to urge restraint behind the wheel.

Who were the victims: remembering Khyree Jackson, Isaiah Hazel, and Anthony Lytton Jr.

• Khyree Jackson, 24 — A Maryland native and former Oregon standout drafted into the NFL months before the crash. Coaches and teammates consistently described his late-blooming journey as a symbol of persistence and belief.

• Isaiah Hazel, 23 — A talented defensive back and high school champion known for physical play and leadership in the locker room.

• Anthony Lytton Jr., 24 — A cornerback with Division I experience, remembered for his competitiveness and loyalty to friends and family.

All three were celebrated alumni of the same Prince George’s County high school program and remained close after their college careers diverged. The tragedy landed particularly hard across local football communities that watched the trio grow up together.

Community reaction and the road to sentencing

Friday’s plea spurred a complicated mix of relief, grief, and frustration. For some relatives, the admission of guilt provides long-sought accountability and spares them a prolonged trial. Others focused on the proportionality of the proposed sentence given the scope of the loss. Prosecutors framed the deal as a balance of certainty and responsibility that avoids retraumatizing families at trial while ensuring a felony conviction and incarceration.

In the months ahead, the court will receive a pre-sentence investigation detailing Clingman’s background, prior traffic history, and victim impact statements. The judge retains discretion at the February hearing to accept the recommendation or impose a different sentence within statutory limits. Sentencing outcomes in similar cases often hinge on remorse, compliance with pre-sentencing conditions, and the weight of impact statements from loved ones.

Why this case became a cautionary marker

Beyond the prominence of Jackson’s NFL trajectory, the crash stands out for the stark combination of speed, alcohol, and friendship. Everyone involved had ties to one another, and two cars from the same social circle ended up on the same stretch of highway at the same moment. Safety officials have highlighted the case in educational campaigns, noting that even brief decisions at highway speeds can produce irreversible consequences.

Key takeaways emphasized by authorities and advocates include:

• Speed multiplies risk: Reaction time shrinks; minor contact becomes catastrophic.

• Impairment blunts judgment: Alcohol increases the chance of risky lane changes and overcorrections.

• Plan the ride in advance: Rideshare, designated drivers, and staying put remain the simplest preventatives.

What’s next

Clingman returns to court for sentencing in February 2026. Families of Jackson, Hazel, and Lytton are expected to deliver statements, and the court will consider restitution, treatment requirements, and post-release supervision. For the community, attention turns to memorial efforts that keep the three friends’ names linked to mentorship and safe-driving initiatives.

The plea does not heal the loss, but it closes the criminal-liability chapter. As the case moves toward sentencing, the focus shifts from proving what happened to honoring who was lost—and ensuring that hard-won lessons about speed and impairment reach the next young driver before a similar night becomes another headline.