Former Jets defensive end Dennis Byrd dies in car crash

Former Jet Dennis Byrd, most known for suffering a serious spinal injury and fighting his way back to be able to walk again, has died in a car accident. He was 50.

Byrd was traveling down state Route 88 in Oklahoma north of Claremore on Saturday when he was involved in a two-car collision that claimed his life and sent two others to the hospital in critical condition, according to the Tulsa World. A 17-year-old driver veered into the oncoming lane, striking the vehicle driven by Byrd, who was pronounced dead at the scene due to massive injuries.

Byrd suffered a fractured vertebra in a collision with teammate Scott Mersereau during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 29, 1992. He…