Md. woman to serve 2 years in prison after crash that killed NFL draftee
An Upper Marlboro, Maryland, woman was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison after pleading guilty to her role in a 2024 crash that killed Khyree Jackson and two other men.
Months before the crash, Jackson had been selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL Draft. The two other men killed were former teammates of Jackson’s at Wise High School in Upper Marlboro.
Cori Clingman pleaded guilty in November to three counts of negligent homicide under the influence of alcohol. Each count carried a maximum penalty of five years in prison, but prosecutors said at the time of her plea they would recommend 15 years, with all but three years suspended.
She was given that sentence Wednesday — 15 years with all but three suspended and credit for time served, which is 377 days. So, effectively, Clingman will spend about two more years in prison.
Prosecutors said Clingman caused the death of the three men, all Maryland natives, when she rammed her Infinity Q50 into a Dodge Charger and a Chevrolet Impala on July 6, 2024, while driving on Route 4-Pennsylvania Avenue.
Inside the Charger with Jackson were 23-year-old Isaiah Hazel and 24-year-old Anthony Lytton Jr.
None of the occupants of the Impala or Clingman’s Q50 were injured.
Had the case advanced to trial, prosecutors said, an expert would have testified that Clingman’s blood alcohol level was between .12 and .18 at the time of the crash.
Jackson played cornerback for Alabama before transferring to Oregon for his final year of college. He shined for the Ducks as a starter and was named first-team All-Pac-12. The Vikings selected him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
During his short time with the Vikings before his death, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Jackson made a lasting impression.
“He cared about being a good teammate, being part of a locker room and committing to working hard for something that was bigger than himself,” O’Connell said.
WTOP’s Scott Gelman and Jessica Kronzer contributed to this report.