Coach talks about the death of three former Wise players

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY (7News) — DaLawn Parrish is trying to accept the fact that three of his former players and students were killed in a car accident early Saturday morning.

“When you hear something like that, you think, ‘Did that really just happen?'” Parrish told 7News sports reporter Natalie Spala. “You don’t even know how to answer those questions for yourself, let alone for someone who might call you trying to find out what happened.”

READ| Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson and two others die in three-car crash near Forestville

Parrish, who resigned as head coach of the Wise High School football team after another state championship last season, coached and taught Khyree Jackson, Anthony “AJ” Lytton, Jr. and Isaiah Hazel. The three were killed in Prince George’s County when a vehicle attempted to change lanes, according to Maryland State Police.

After winning multiple state championships with Wise, Jackson, Lytton and Hazel all played college football. Jackson played at both Alabama and Oregon and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“Khyree believed in himself,” Parrish said. “‘Hey coach, I’m going to play in the NFL.’ For him, it’s plan A or nothing. He drove that cart all the way to the draft last season.”

Hazel played four seasons for Maryland and Lytton played for both Florida State and Penn State. Parrish remembers both as bright young men with promising futures.

“Isaiah Hazel had an infectious personality. He could make you smile; you couldn’t help but love him,” Parrish said. “Every coach, every teacher that ever interacted with him would tell you the same thing, I truly believe that.”

“Outstanding, gifted athlete,” Parrish said at AJ. “It took him a while to even start talking and getting into his mindset, but once he did and took care of you, he did it.”

Parrish said when he resigned at Wise, a surprise party was held to celebrate his success as coach. All three players came.

“Seeing them all in the building, communicating with each other, laughing and sharing stories,” Parrish said. “That’s the part that’s pretty hard. I won’t be able to share stories with them and talk to them, but I’m sure they’re in a better place.”