Utah freshman defensive tackle Gaius “Keio” Vaenuku and two other passengers were killed in an car accident in Cuba, N.M. early Tuesday morning, about 85 miles outside of Albuquerque.

Another incoming Utah freshman and passenger in the car—offensive tackle Salesi Uhatafe—survived, as did his father Salesi Uhatafe, Sr.

Uhatafe’s stepbrother Polo Manukainiu, a redshirt defensive lineman at Texas A&M, and brother Lolo Uhatafe, were killed.

“Everyone who knew Gaius is heartbroken today,” said Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham in a statement. “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. This is a sad day not only for University of Utah football, but for everyone whose lives Gaius crossed or would have crossed but for this tragedy. Our hearts go out to Gaius’ and Salesi’s families, and to the Texas A&M coaches and players. We are praying for the speedy recovery of Salesi and his father.”

State police told the Associated Press that the vehicle the group was driving in drifted off the road. The driver then overcorrected and the vehicle rolled. Manukainiu had tweeted sometime before the accident “22 hour drive back to Texas on no sleep. Oh my.”

Vaenuku, Manukainiu and the younger Uhatafe were teammates at Trinity High School in Euless, Tex. Vaenuku and Uhatafe were preparing to once again be teammates at Utah. The group was traveling to Texas for a few days before Vaenuku and Uhatafe were set to begin fall camp next Monday.

Vaenuku was the 2012 District 6-5A Defensive Player of the Year in Texas as a senior at Trinity High. He was also named first-team all-district and to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Super Team first-team defense. He had 72 tackles, seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss as a senior while helping Trinity to the area championship. He leaves behind four siblings.