Indiana State University football player from Waukegan among 3 killed in weekend crash

TERRE HAUTE, Indiana - Three Indiana State University students are dead, and two others are seriously injured after a weekend car accident about ten miles from campus.

One of the men killed is 18-year-old Christian Eubanks of Waukegan, Illinois. He is a recent Warren Township High School graduate and received a football scholarship to play for the ISU Sycamores.  

Eubanks was getting ready to start his freshman year when tragedy struck.

Around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Eubanks and two other college students were killed when their vehicle slammed into a tree in the town of Riley. Two other students were injured in the fiery crash.

Officials have yet to release additional details about the fatal accident, including who was driving.

Meantime, friends and loved ones describe Eubanks as a standout on and off the field.

"If you ever met him, great presence. Great presence about him, very humble and just somebody you could talk to. Somebody you’d love to be around, his energy was always positive," said Landon Cox, director of athletics & college support, Beyond Sports Foundation. "One thing about him is he wasn’t going to be very vocal, but he didn’t necessarily need to be because he led by example."

Eubanks, who played for the Warren Township Blue Devils, graduated with a full-ride athletic scholarship to Indiana State University.

"He was an electric, explosive player, so you just knew he had a lot of potential," said Cox.

Eubanks was also involved in the Beyond Sports Foundation, a local nonprofit.

The organization’s director of athletics and college support tells us Eubanks had been on-campus in Terre Haute, Indiana since early August for football camp, when over the weekend, the unthinkable happened.

"Obviously this whole situation is just hard to believe, really tough," said Cox. "The fact that his goal was to make others around him happy and lead with love, that’s what I want people to know."

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Warren Township High School Head Football Coach Bryan McNulty released the following statement to FOX 32:

"Christian was and always will be a first class individual who was loved by many. He was just beginning to experience an extremely bright future that would have led to many successes. As an athlete, Chris was the full package of athleticism, smarts and ability. Off the field, Chris was so much more. He was creative, smart and kind. I am not sure if any of us will truly ever get over this tragedy. A beautiful young life cut short."

Warren Township High School District 121 will have a crisis team available this week for any staff or students that need support processing these circumstances.

Along with Eubanks, 19-year-old Jayden Musili of Fort Wayne, Indiana and 19-year-old Caleb VanHooser of Liberty Township, Ohio were also killed.

Eubanks was a freshman linebacker at Indiana State University, while VanHooser was a freshman defensive back. Musili was a sophomore student and was not on the football team.

Christian Eubanks, 18, of Waukegan, Illinois was among three Indiana State University students killed in a weekend crash, officials said Monday. (Indiana State University)

Omarian Dixon, 20, of Lafayette, Indiana, a redshirt freshman running back was seriously injured in the crash, along with 19-year-old John Moore of Wheaton, Illinois – a redshirt freshman linebacker for the university.

"There are no words to express the depth of our sadness about this tragedy," Indiana State University President Dr. Deborah J. Curtis said. "We send our condolences to the family and friends of the students involved. The Sycamore family is mourning and will support each other in this time of grief."

Students gathered near the university’s football stadium Sunday evening for a vigil.

"My heart is broken at the loss of these three souls," said Sherard Clinkscales, Indiana State University Director of Athletics.

The football team did not practice Monday.

"It is a terrible day for Indiana State football and a devastating loss for both the Eubanks and the VanHooser families. Both young men were quality individuals who were loved and respected by their teammates and this staff," said Indiana State University Head Football Coach Curt Mallory. "To say they will be missed is an understatement. Our continued prayers and support are with their families, friends, and teammates during this difficult time."