COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO PLAYER JA'MARION GRACE DIES IN CAR CRASH

A College of San Mateo defensive back, Ja'Marion Grace, has died following a car crash on Highway 101 near the Yerba Buena Road exit in San Jose, California, the state's highway patrol said. Grace, known to teammates as "Pop", was a passenger in the vehicle when it crashed in the early hours of Sunday. Two other College of San Mateo student-athletes were also in the car and were injured, according to college president Jennifer Taylor. One remains in hospital with serious injuries, while the other is recovering at home, Taylor said. The California Highway Patrol said Grace was ejected from the vehicle and died of his injuries.

The California Highway Patrol said the crash happened at around 2.06am on Sunday, when a 2013 Ford Fusion travelling northbound left the road after its driver lost control. The driver, from San Mateo, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Investigators have not said whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, and have appealed for witnesses to come forward. Grace's mother, Ashley Grant, said she spoke to her son on Saturday evening before he went out, telling him to be careful. He later texted her asking for money, which she sent, and he replied with a thank-you message and hearts. That was the last contact she had with him before she and his father were called to identify him at the coroner's office.

Grace had just begun his freshman season with the Bulldogs and recorded a tackle in the team's win over Butte College on 12 September. College of San Mateo entered the week with a 3-1 record after beating Modesto Junior College 45-16 on Saturday night, hours before the crash. Grant described her son as "a young man trying to find his way" who "was determined" and "dedicated", adding that he had "so much life ahead of him". Investigators continue to examine the circumstances of the crash, and have not said whether any charges are being considered against the driver.