MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WTVF) — A former Cumberland University football player was killed in a car crash in Murfreesboro early Sunday morning.
University officials said Monday that five students were involved in the crash after this weekend's football game against Webber International. Murfreesboro police said 24-year-old Jamir Johnson "failed to maintain the lane of traffic" while he was driving a Dodge Charger on E. Clark Boulevard. The Charger left the side of the road and hit a tree around 1 a.m.
Witnesses told police that Johnson was speeding and that the vehicle's headlights were off before the crash took place. Police found an open bottle of alcohol in the car.
The front passenger, 22-year-old Marcus Webb, was killed. Johnson and three other passengers, 22-year-old Lamar Childress, 20-year-old Jeremiah Matthews and 20-year-old Brandon Pace Jr. were taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. Police said Johnson, Childress and Matthews are in stable condition, while Pace is in critical condition.
Matthews, Childress and Pace are current members of the university's football team. Johnson and Webb were members of the 2021-2022 team.
"Football Head Coach, Tim Mathis shared his feelings with his team this afternoon, 'As a team we are devastated. We are praying for healing and specifically that Brandon’s injuries are healed. We are also praying for the families involved and for each other,'" Ron Pavan, director of athletics, said in a statement. "We are all extremely saddened at this news. The entire athletic department is devastated and our campus community is hurting. Our hearts and prayers are with the families, teammates, friends and loved ones of these students."
Cumberland University President Paul C. Stumb also released a statement in response to the crash.
"It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we mourn the passing of Cumberland University student Marcus Webb. After Saturday night's football game, five members of our campus community were involved in an extremely serious and fatal auto accident in Rutherford County. We have shared this heartbreaking news with our cherished university family. Students, faculty, and staff have been made aware that Jamir Johnson, Lamar Childress, and Jeremiah Mathews are all three in stable condition while Brandon Pace is still currently in critical condition at this time.. Unfortunately, Marcus Webb, has passed away as a result of his injuries. Although grief can be, and often is at times like these, an all-consuming emotion, it is not one which we must carry alone.
Please be assured that while we are working with the appropriate authorities to collect and subsequently disseminate all of the relevant factual information surrounding this incident, we are first and foremost working with the immediate family members of those involved in the accident. In difficult times like these, it is more important than ever to rise together in support of those who are hurting. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, teammates, friends, and loved ones of these students."
- Paul C. Stumb
Murfreesboro police said the crash remains under investigation and charges could be filed.
