Texas A&M's Polo Manukainiu, two others killed in car accident
Texas A&M freshman defensive lineman Polo Manukainiu has been killed in an automobile accident, Texas A&M officials have confirmed to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Manukainiu was traveling from Utah overnight with friends, and reportedly the accident included three fatalities and two more passengers were injured. Fox 4 News television, of Dallas-Forth Worth, reports that one of the fatalities was Utah incoming freshman defensive lineman Gaius Vaenuku.
Dallasnews.com's report indicates that another Utah football player, Salesi Uhatafe, was one of two injured in the crash. Manukainiu and Vaenuku attended Euless Trinity (Texas) High together. The third fatally injured passenger, Lolo Uhatafe, was a junior high student at Euless Trinity. On its website, the school posted a page for memorial comments and support.
Manukainiu, 19, redshirted at A&M in 2012. He posted the following on twitter before the trip:
22 hour drive back to Texas on no sleep. Oh my 😳
— Polo Manukainiu (@ManukainiuPolo) July 29, 2013
Texas A&M players have expressed their condolences via Twitter.
It really makes you appreciate things more when someone you know in the same position as you in life looses theirs! #R.I.P Polo
— Deshazor Everett (@DEverett22) July 30, 2013
Heart hurts waking up to news about Polo.. I think I speak for everyone on our team when I say we love you brother you will be missed
— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) July 30, 2013
Follow Chase Goodbread on twitter @ChaseGoodbread