Tuesday was a sad day for the University of Utah Football team, for it was the day one of its most promising players died from a fatal rollover crash. Vaenuku had decided to go University of Utah above other equally attractive options. In a past interview, Vaenuku expressed, “I liked BYU and felt good there, but not like how I felt being at Utah. Utah just felt more like it was home and the place I needed to be.”
Vaenuku was the 2012 District 6-5A Defensive Player of the Year in Texas. He helped lead Trinity to the area championship by racking up 72 tackles (13 behind the line of scrimmage) and seven sacks.
According to the report, the crash also sent teammate Salesi Uhatafe to the hospital with minor injuries. It was disclosed that the incoming freshmen were teammates at Trinity High School in Euless, Texas. They were headed home for the weekend before the Utes open fall camp Monday.
The Associated Press, in its report, said that the 2002 Toyota Sequoia the group was riding in drifted off the road on U.S. 550 and the driver over-corrected, causing the vehicle to roll several times.
Two other fatalities of the rollover crash were identified as Uhatafe’s stepbrother Polo Manukainiu, a defensive tackle at Texas A&M, and his 13-year-old brother Lolo Uhatafe. Uhatafe’s father, Salesi, Sr., survived.
Allegedly, Manukainiu and the youngest Uhatafe were ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Vaenuku was pronounced dead after being transported in an ambulance.
The report stated that officials said the two survivors were taken to the hospital and had minor injuries. Authorities said alcohol was not a factor and that the driver was the only one who was wearing a seat belt.
A Monday morning Twitter post by Manukainiu indicated that drowsiness may have been a factor. The Tweet read: “22 hour drive back to Texas on no sleep. Oh my.”
Christensen & Hymas offers its condolences to the family of these young people who died on the road.
Christensen & Hymas specializes in personal injury cases. If you been a victim of recklessness or have suffered an injury because of someone’s negligence, call us at (801)-506-0800 for a free initial consultation. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you through your compensation claim.
Original article by Dirk Facer, Deseret News.
Photo courtesy of Eliot Phillips.