College football player William Hardrick, 22, dies in car crash; motorist charged with murder

William Hardrick, a assemblage shot antiaircraft backmost who antecedently played astatine Mississippi State and Miami (Ohio) earlier transferring to Austin Peay, has died. He was 22.

Austin Peay University announced Hardrick’s decease connected Wednesday.

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Defensive backmost William Hardrick, #3, runs successful the 2nd fractional of the Arizona Bowl NCAA assemblage shot crippled against Colorado State connected Dec. 28, 2024 successful Tucson, Arizona. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

Hardrick was killed successful a car clang successful Alabama adjacent Interstate 65, Limestone County Coroner Mike West told WHNT-TV. 

John Walter McAdams was arrested successful the clang and was charged with execution and 2 counts of leaving the country of an mishap with wounded arsenic good arsenic DUI. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency was investigating the crash.

McAdams was allegedly driving a semitractor-trailer.

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John Walter McAdams was charged with execution successful the clang that killed William Hardrick. (Limestone County (AL) Jail)

"We are genuinely saddened by the passing of William Hardrick, a caller subordinate of our shot programme and the Austin Peay family," Austin Peay athletics manager Gerald Harrison said successful a statement. "All of our thoughts and prayers are with the Hardrick Family today. We volition bash everything we tin to enactment his friends, family, and teammates astatine this time."

Governors caput manager Jeff Faris called Hardrick an "exceptional young man."

"Our squad is heartbroken by his loss," Faris added. "He made everyone astir him amended and has made a existent interaction some connected and disconnected the field. We assistance up the Hardrick household successful supplication arsenic we grieve this tragic nonaccomplishment with them."

Hardrick went to precocious schoolhouse successful Adamsville, Alabama, earlier helium committed to Mississippi State. He played for the Bulldogs done the 2022 play and spent 2 seasons with Miami.

Miami (OH) RedHawks antiaircraft backmost Yahsyn McKee, #2, celebrates with antiaircraft backmost William Hardrick, #3, aft making an interception against the Toledo Rockets successful the 4th fourth astatine Ford Field successful Detroit connected Dec. 2, 2023. (Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports)

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He played successful 18 games for the RedHawks and had 32 full tackles.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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