ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — University of New Mexico sophomore safety Markely Byrd died in a single-car accident near Gallup. He was driving home for the holidays with his girlfriend when their car suffered a blowout on I-40.
Their were both ejected. Markel died instantly, and she was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
According to KOB-TV, the UNM athletic department released a statement early Wednesday morning “This is an absolute tragedy. Markel Byrd was an outstanding person and student-athlete and we will miss him,” said UNM football coach Bob Davie. “I was with the family late Tuesday night and obviously they are devastated.