Altee Tenpenny, Former Alabama Crimson Tide Running Back, Dies In One-Car Collision

Altee Tenpenny, a former running back for the Alabama Crimson Tide has died following a one-car collision on Tuesday.

According to AL.com, 20-year-old Altee Tenpenny was travelling down Mississippi Highway 1 when the 2008 Dodge Charge he was driving veered off the left side of the road and collided with a road sign. Tenpenny’s vehicle then slid down an embankment, crossed a country road, and flipped several times before finally striking a utility pole. The force of the crash ejected Tenpenny from the vehicle. Altee was transported to Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville, Mississippi, where he died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Tenpenny’s football career started when he was ranked one of the nation’s top running backs out of North Little Rock High School. Altee played for Alabama Crimson Tide for two seasons — 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 — where he played a total of 26 games, had 218 rushing yards, and one touchdown in 48 carries. Following the 2014-2015 season, Tenpenny announced his decision to leave Alabama and transfer to UNLV in May but was dismissed by UNLV coach Tony Sanchez in August. After his dismissal from UNLV, Tenpenny enrolled at Nicholls State, however, he was suspended indefinitely following an incident this past Sunday where he was arrested and charged with “obstructing public passage, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, and illegal carrying of weapon in presences of CDS,” according to the Daily Comet. Once Nicholls officials were made aware of Altee’s arrest, they issued a statement confirming his suspension.

“Nicholls Athletics Department is aware of the incident involving Altee Tenpenny that led to his arrest early Sunday morning. Tenpenny has been suspended indefinitely from all football activities, effective immediately.”

Altee Tenpenny’s car crash happened as he was driving back home to Arkansas after learning he would no longer be a part of the Nicholls State football team. As Tenpenny’s crash continues to be investigated by Mississippi Highway Patrol, friends, coaches, and former teammates are taking to social media to express their sadness at the loss of such a promising young player.

I love you bruh , from the bottom of my heart & your name will always live through me . ???28?? pic.twitter.com/mEHPYBEJ3V

— ?Derrick Henry ?? (@KingHenry_2) October 21, 2015

Altee Tenpenny’s former Crimson Tide coach, Nick Saban, issued a statement following Altee’s death at the SEC football coaches teleconference Wednesday, reports USA Today.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Altee and his family. This is obviously a tragedy. This is a guy who was in our program and was good friends with a lot of our players. We want to be as supportive as possible to all the people who were affected by this.”

Kenyan Drake, Alabama’s senior running back, who once competed with Altee for playing time, wrote a long and emotional Instagram post, remembering Altee Tenpenny as his friend and brother.

“The tears never stopped since I heard the news. I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about the memories we shared from when you and @Last_King_2 were juniors and I was a senior in high school at the opening just competing and having fun. We became friends then, and I knew both of you were going to be special then and we all came to Alabama and became brothers.”

https://instagram.com/p/9GlCRSFTLK/

Though Altee Tenpenny was arrested in 2014 for possession of a controlled substance, there is no indication as of yet that he was under the influence when he crashed his car Tuesday evening.

[Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Image]