An Alabama college has been left in mourning after the tragic death of one of their football players following a horrifying car crash.
Huntingdon College confirmed that student-athlete James Owens, 20, of Tuscaloosa, was one of two individuals killed in a two-vehicle crash last week.
As per ABC, Owens was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro when it collided with a Toyota Tundra driven by 42-year-old Justin E. Carlee of Maplesville.
The incident occurred at 5:35am near the 99-mile marker in Chilton County on November 10th. Both Owens and Carlee were pronounced dead at the scene.
Owens, a defensive lineman, was a member of the Huntingdon Hawks football program and, in the wake of his death, the school posted a touching tribute to him.
Taking to Instagram, they wrote: ‘A junior from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, James was a towering presence of kindness and a force to be reckoned with as a member of the defensive line on Huntingdon’s football team.
Huntingdon College have confirmed that student-athlete James Owens, 20, of Tuscaloosa, was one of two individuals killed in a two-vehicle crash last week
Owens, a defensive lineman, was a member of the Huntingdon Hawks football program
‘He was a great representative of our college on and off the field. Throughout his time as a Hawk, James carried himself at the utmost standard of respect, integrity, and kindness’.
In tribute to the Huntingdon Hawks star, family and friends gathered on Tuesday to release balloons into the sky in his honor.
Footage posted on Facebook showed those in attendance sporting red clothing – Huntingdon’s colors – before releasing the red and white balloons into the air.
Owens’ football coach, Mike Turk, also spoke on the 20-year-old’s tragic death in an interview with WSFA 12 news. He said: ‘It has been one of those weeks where we need each other, we need to be together.
‘We went back to work Tuesday and started trying to get ready for Belhaven, as I know James would have wanted us to do, and prepare to go play well, as I know he would want us to do.’
Meanwhile, Huntingdon College Chaplain and Dean of the Chapel, Rhett Butler said: ‘Of everyone I’ve baptized- James stands as the most abundantly assured person.
‘He knew Jesus, loved Jesus, and was insistent on taking the next step of his faith in his baptism. He originally didn’t want to do it in front of a bunch of folks, but changed his mind when he realized what a witness his own faith was for the faith of others.’
The tragic news comes shortly after Cal State Fullerton sophomore Lauren Turner died after getting hit by a truck while riding an ex-scooter without a helmet.
The school shared a touching tribute along with a collage of Owens’ college football highlights
Turner sustained a head injury when she was struck by the vehicle while riding the scooter with a teammate, who was also hopsitalized with a life-threatening injury but is making what her family last month called a ‘miracle’ recovery.
Their university head coach said they were not wearing helmets at the time of the incident.
A statement from the university announcing Turner’s death said: ‘Lauren was the funniest, most charismatic and loving teammate you could ever ask for.
‘She was the first to celebrate other people’s wins. She is the true definition of an amazing person. She always carried herself with compassion, kindness and happiness.
‘The impact she made on the Titans women’s soccer program is immeasurable. She will be dearly missed by everyone but forever remembered by her Titan family. We love you Lauren, our No. 5 Forever.’
