Pitt Football Player Killed In Car Crash

PITTSBURGH, PA — University of Pittsburgh freshman cornerback Mason Alexander was killed Saturday night in a car accident in his hometown of Fishers, Indiana near Indianapolis.

According to a release from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Alexander, 18, was a passenger in a 2016 BMW driving south on Florida Road. The driver attempted to pass a 2015 Toyota before a hillcrest and swerved to avoid a head-on collision with another car traveling in the northbound lane. The BMW traveled off the road, hit a tree and caught on fire.

Alexander was pronounced dead at the scene.

Alexander graduated early from Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, enrolled early at Pitt and was slated to join the team for the start of spring practice later this month.

“I received a call this morning that no parent, teacher or coach ever wants to get—the news of the sudden loss of a young and promising life," Pitt Coach Pat Narduzzi said in a statement. "Our entire program is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Mason Alexander’s passing."