UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO FOOTBALL PLAYER MARKEL BYRD HAS DIED IN A ONE-VEHICLE CRASH NEAR GALLUP. THE UNM ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT ISSUED A STATEMENT WEDNESDAY MORNING SAYING BYRD’S VEHICLE HAD A TIRE BLOW-OUT ON I-40 NEAR GALLUP ON TUESDAY. THE DEPARTMENT SAYS BYRD AND HIS GIRLFRIEND WERE RETURNING FOR THE HOLIDAYS. BOTH WERE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.
UNM FOOTBALL COACH BOB DAVIE SAYS BYRD’S FAMILY IS DEVASTATED. HE SAYS BYRD WAS AN OUTSTANDING PERSON AND STUDENT ATHLETE WHO WILL BE MISSED.
