Three ISU students killed in early Sunday car accident, football players involved
Aug. 22—Three Indiana State students were killed and two occupants were injured in an early Sunday morning single-vehicle car accident in Riley.
Indiana State confirmed that ISU students were involved in the accident in a late-morning press release. The initial ISU release mentioned that "several" football players were involved.
Later Sunday, it was confirmed that one of the students killed was freshman Caleb VanHooser. The Liberty Township, Ohio, native was identified as one of the victims on a social media post by made his high school, Lakota East. VanHooser was a defensive back on the football team.
One other occupant of the vehicle was identified Sunday evening.
Omarion Dixon, a Lafayette native and redshirt freshman running back for the Sycamores, was reported to be in the accident on a social media post by his high school, Harrison in West Lafayette. The post reported that Dixon had been in surgery, but his condition beyond that was unknown.
The other three occupants of the vehicle were not identified as of press time.
"This is a terrible tragedy," ISU President Dr. Deborah J. Curtis said in a university press release. "As we are waiting on additional details from authorities investigating this accident, our hearts go out to the families and friends of the students involved."
According to the Vigo County Sheriff report released to the media, the crash occurred on Indiana 46 at Main Street in Riley in southeast Vigo County.
The vehicle involved left the road and struck a tree. Upon arrival of deputies, the vehicle was on fire. Two occupants were freed from the vehicle, but the driver and two other occupants were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The report provided to the media Sunday morning indicated that the investigation into the accident was continuing.
VanHooser, who graduated from Lakota East in the northern Cincinnati suburbs in 2022, did not play a down for the Sycamores. He was projected to be a cornerback for ISU, the same position he excelled at when he played at Lakota East.
He played cornerback and wide receiver for Lakota East and he also ran track. VanHooser was a first team All-Greater Miami Conference defensive back.
According to Cincinnati television station WCPO, Lakota East will wear No. 2 decals on their helmets in tribute to VanHooser. He was to wear No. 26 for the Sycamores.
The tragedy sent shockwaves through the ISU athletic community. ISU's home women's soccer opener, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, was postponed due to the accident.
On Sunday evening, a vigil was organized by student-athletes. It took place outside the arch at Memorial Stadium.
ISU football coach Curt Mallory, ISU Director of Athletics Sherard Clinkscales, ISU senior captain and wide receiver Dante Hendrix and several others, including representatives from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, spoke to a gathering of ISU athletes who mourned the loss of their colleagues.
Athletes from every ISU athletic program gathered in a semi-circle around the football team to provide their support. There were also several ISU coaches, administrators and well-wishers on-hand.
Later, the vigil went inside Memorial Stadium, where athletes gathered in a circle at midfield to pay tribute to the athletes who were killed and injured.
At the request of ISU, interviews were not conducted.
