Texas A&M Freshman Football Player Killed In Car Accident
Texas A&M freshman football player Polo Manukainiu was killed in a car crash this week in New Mexico.
Manukainiu, a red-shirt freshman who played on the defensive line for the Aggies, was one of three people killed in the single car crash.
Gaius ”Keio” Vaenuku, an 18-year-old Utah recruit and 13-year-old Andrew “Lolo” Uhatafe were also killed when their car flipped over on U.S. 550 near Cuba, New Mexico.
Yahoo News reports that Siaosi Salesi Uhatafe Jr., 18, was driving at the time of the crash. Uhatafe Jr. reportedly drifted off the highway and then rushed to get the car back on the road. He over-corrected and caused the vehicle to roll over.
Texas A&M head football coach Kevin Sumlin said in a statement: “We lost a terrific young man. Polo was loved by his teammates and coaches. Anyone who came in contact with him was struck by his sense of humor and smile. My heart aches for his mom and family members.”
Alcohol was not involved in the crash but fatigue may have been a factor. Manukainiu posted a message on Twitter shortly before the accident that he hadn’t slept much the night before.
Manukainiu writes: “22 hour drive back to Texas on no sleep. Oh my.”
Texas A&M mourns the loss of Polo Manukainiu, who was tragically killed last night in a car accident in New Mexico – http://t.co/RnWWfTgRhT
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) July 30, 2013
.@CoachSumlin: “We lost a terrific young man. Polo was loved by his teammates and coaches. My heart aches for his mom and family members.”
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) July 30, 2013
