Texas A&M University has confirmed that freshman football player Polo Manukainiu was among three people killed in a single vehicle rollover crash in northern New Mexico.
Manukainiu, 19, and Gaius "Keio"Vaenuku, an 18-year-old bound to play football for the Utah Utes, were two of the three young people who died in the tragic accident. There were five people in the car, according to reports, and only the driver is believed to have been wearing a seatbelt. Authorities have told the media alcohol was not a factor in the wreck.
The driver of the car, 18-year-old Siaosi Salesi, drifted too far over to the side of the road, according to police, and "overcorrected," causing the Toyota Sequoia to flip over, rolling several times.
Manukainiu and Andrew "Lolo'' Uhatafe, 13, were pronounced dead at the scene, while Vaenuku died in the ambulance as he was being transferred to the hospital.
Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin commented on the untimely loss of his redshirt freshman saying, "We lost a terrific young man. Polo was loved by his teammates and coaches. Anyone who came in contact with him was struck by his sense of humor and smile. My heart aches for his mom and family members.''
The typically misbehaving Manziel was somber as well on the topic of his fallen teammate. "Heart hurts waking up to news about Polo,'' Manziel tweeted on Tuesday. "I think I speak for everyone on our team when I say we love you brother you will be missed.''
Vaenuku had planned on playing one season as a Utes defensive tackle before embarking on a two-year Mormon mission. "Everyone who knew Gaius is heartbroken today,'' Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "He was the kind of young man who lit up a room and his future in football and life had no boundaries. Words cannot express our devastation over the loss of Gaius.''
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