Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty
Deon Lendore, former Texas A&M athlete and three-timeOlympictrack star who represented Trinidad & Tobago, has died. He was 29.
The athlete died in College Station, Texas, died Tuesday after striking one vehicle before plowing head-on into another driving in the opposite direction.
“According to the investigating Trooper, the Volkswagen crossed over the center stripe and side-swiped a vehicle that was traveling eastbound,” the statement continues.
“The Volkswagen continued traveling westbound and drifted across the center stripe again and collided [with] the Infiniti head-on.”
Lendore was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle that was initially sideswiped sustained no injuries, and the crash investigation remains “active and open,” according to the statement.
Paul Gilham/Getty
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The U.S. Embassy Port of Spain released a statement on Tuesday regarding Lendore’s death, listing his impressive career accomplishments in addition to offering kind words to those who knew thetrack and fieldstar, who was serving as a volunteer coach at Texas A&M.
“On behalf of the U.S. Embassy Port of Spain, I extend condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Trinbagonian Olympian Deon Lendore upon his untimely and tragic passing,” Chargé de Affaires Shante Moore wrote on Twitter.
“A three-time Olympian, an Olympic bronze medalist, and a World Championship bronze medalist, Deon was a former Texas A&M University sprinter who represented his country proudly with honor,” Moore continued. “May he rest in peace.”
Team TTO also confirmed Lendore’s death in atribute posted to Facebookon Monday, part of which reads, “Deon has flown the Trinidad and Tobago flag with pride, honor, patriotism and an indomitable will throughout his career while helping and inspiring many.”
“This is very difficult to express, I can’t even express this loss,” Texas A&M coach Henry said in a statement to PEOPLE.
“Deon Lendore leaves an enormous legacy not only at Texas A&M, but on the world stage,” Director of Athletics Ross Bjork said in a statement to PEOPLE.
“It is an unthinkable tragedy and tremendous loss for the track and field community and for Aggies everywhere,” he continued, adding, “He was a wonderful representative of Texas A&M Athletics both as a student-athlete and a volunteer coach, and we offer sincere condolences to Deon’s family, teammates and his friends.”
source: people.com
