UNM Lobo and former Horizon football star dies in car crash returning to San Diego

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – San Diego native and University of New Mexico football player Markel Byrd was tragically killed Tuesday, when he and his girlfriend were traveling home to San Diego for the holidays.

Bryd, who played four years of prep football at Horizon Christian Academy in San Diego from 2009-2012, was killed in a single car crash Tuesday afternoon near Gallup, New Mexico.

Authorities said that the car Byrd and his girlfriend were driving sustained a blowout on Interstate 40 and immediately ejected both of them. Byrd died instantly and his girlfriend, who’s name has not yet been released, was taken to the hospital and is in critical condition.

Byrd was a Redshirt sophomore this season for the Lobos and tied for the team lead in interceptions this season.

While at Horizon, Byrd was a three-sport star athlete playing basketball and baseball along with football. His list of accolades while at Horizon includes being named Coastal League Most Valuable Player in as well as MaxPreps first-team California Division IV All-State as an all-purpose back his senior season.