A beloved defensive coordinator has tragically lost his life at a young age after a horrific car accident. Teams, family, and communities are coming together in the aftermath of this tragedy.
“Beloved” Defensive Coordinator Dies In Horrific Car Accident (Breaking)
![Photo of accident scene for story on high school athletes who perished Accident scene (Photo via Imagn Images ) [Not from actual scene]](https://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_24001781-1-1024x563.jpg "\"Beloved\" Defensive Coordinator Dies In Horrific Car Accident (Breaking) 1")
In Arkansas, a football coach died after being involved in a fatal car crash at age 50:
Blake Williford, described as a “beloved” coach who worked at Prairie Grove High School in Arkansas, lost his life in a July 17 collision involving two vehicles that saw him flung from his car.
He died on the scene.
Local outlet KNWA notes that Williford was killed after his vehicle crossed a center line and hit another vehicle. He was ejected from his car and died immediately, while the other driver was hospitalized.
The accident is now under investigation.
The report states:
“According to a fatal crash report, Williford died in a two-car crash on Viney Grove Road early July 17 after his vehicle crossed the center line and collided with another.”
“He was ejected and died at the scene; the other driver was hospitalized,” it adds. “Authorities said that the investigation is ongoing.”
The school district has released a statement asking folks to “please be sensitive to the needs of our football coaches and athletes as they process this loss.”
Williford, a longtime football coach, had worked in Oklahoma before moving to Arkansas this year, starting as a coach and teacher at Prairie.
News of his passing preceded another fatal accident in which two high school athletes from Alabama lost their lives. According to AL.com, teenagers Tristan Drake Cox and Treylen Anderson Floyd, aged 19 and 18, respectively, were among eight people involved in a pickup truck accident in Jefferson on Sunday.
The teens attended Corner High School.
The six other occupants were hospitalized.
TPS extends condolences to the families affected by both these tragedies.
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