Celebration of life for Maryland football players killed in crash

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — Thousands are expected to attend a celebration of life service for two of three high school football players killed in a crash earlier this month. Kyhree Jackson, Isaiah Hazel and A.J. Lytton died after another driver hit the car they were in, sending them off the road on July 6. 

Nearly three weeks later, officials have not announced any charges in the crash. Friday's service is for Jackson and Hazel at First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Upper Marlboro. All three men killed were close friends and played together on Wise High School's 2016 stat championship team.

Hazel went on to play football for the University of Maryland. Lytton spent time at Penn State and was set to play for Bowie State in the fall. Jackson was recently drafted to the NFL by the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings say Jackson's locker will remain empty and his number will not be reassigned this season. They also said they would pay Jackson's signing bonus of more than $827,000 to his estate, with the NFL Players Association able to offer even more financial assistance to his family.

The team will also have decals honoring Jackson on their helmets. 

Back when the crash happened, WUSA9 spoke with one of their former coaches at Wise. 

"I love them and I wish I could say it to them one more time," said Steve Rapp. "The legacy of those guys is going to live on forever."

The community held a vigil for all three at Wise High School two weeks ago. Unfortunately, as attendees were leaving, someone ended up shooting two people, killing a young man who was friends with the players. 

Police are still searching for that shooter and offering a $25,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and conviction.