UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — Two years of agonizing silence for three families could end today. A Prince George’s County courtroom is set to decide the fate of Cori Clingman, the driver who pleaded guilty to the drunken, high-speed crash that killed Minnesota Vikings cornerback Khyree Jackson and two of his former high school teammates.
Clingman, 25, faces a judge at 10 a.m. this morning. While the maximum penalty for the charges could have buried her under decades of prison time, the recommended sentence has sparked outrage among fans and locals alike: four years behind bars.
The Plea Deal: A Slap on the Wrist?
Prosecutors are pushing for a 15-year sentence with all but three years suspended. Under the terms of the recommendation, Clingman would likely serve four years in active custody followed by 12 years of supervised release. She pleaded guilty late last year to three counts of negligent homicide under the influence of alcohol—one count for each life lost.
Investigators revealed that Clingman was legally drunk and tearing down Route 4 at 109 mph in July 2024. She clipped another vehicle and lost control, swerving directly into the lane occupied by the victims’ Dodge Charger. The impact sent their car careening off the road, where it slammed into multiple tree stumps, instantly turning a summer night into a tragedy.
“We Were Just Kids”
The victims were more than just passengers; they were a brotherhood forged at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School.
- Khyree Jackson (24): The Vikings’ 2024 fourth-round draft pick. He never played a snap in the NFL, his career cut short weeks before training camp.
- Isaiah Hazel (23): The driver of the victims’ car. A former standout at Maryland and Charlotte.
- Anthony Lytton Jr. (24): A talented defensive back who played for Florida State and Penn State.
Authorities confirmed all four individuals, including Clingman, had been at the same nightclub prior to the crash. Hazel was also speeding when the collision occurred, a fact that complicated the initial investigation but did not absolve Clingman of the primary negligence—driving drunk at triple-digit speeds.
“You don’t just replace a guy like Khyree. He had that dog in him. We still keep his locker empty. It’s 2026, and it still feels like we got the call yesterday. We just want peace for his mama.” — Unnamed Vikings Defensive Veteran
The Aftermath / What’s Next
Today’s hearing isn’t just about jail time; it’s the final whistle on a legal battle that has dragged on for 19 months. If the judge accepts the prosecution’s recommendation, Clingman could be out before 2030. If the judge rejects it, the case could be thrown into chaos. For the Vikings organization, which honored Jackson throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons with helmet decals and memorial funds, the sentencing offers a chance to finally close a painful chapter.
