TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WLS) — Two freshman members of the Indiana State University football team were among the three students who were killed in a weekend crash, officials said Monday.
One of those killed was former Warren Township High School student Christian Eubanks. He quickly became a rising football star and his high school coach said he had a bright future ahead of him.
“A life cut short that had so much potential. He had so much still going for him, so much life to live,” said Bryan McNulty, Warren Township High School’s football coach. “He played two years in the COVID season. Then, he played last year for us. Extremely smart player.”
The sheriff’s department didn’t say who was driving or release additional details about the circumstances of the crash.
It is McNulty’s worst fear. He molds his student football players for the future, but suddenly learned one’s life was ripped away.
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“The last conversation I had with him was actually via text, and he was thanking us for someone of ways we pushed him and stuff like that and how it’s helping him at Indiana State. Everybody thought he was off to a bright future, and I think he had. It’s just tragically cut short now,” McNulty said.
Eubanks was starting his freshman year at Indiana State University as a linebacker for the football team.
It was early Sunday morning when McNulty says the 18-year-old was in a car with friends, riding back to their campus in Terra Haute from Indiana University in Bloomington. That’s when sheriff’s deputies said the car left the highway in Riley, crashed into a tree and became engulfed in flames.
Eubanks was one of three students killed. One of the other victims was his fellow teammate, Caleb VanHooser.
Two other men were taken to the hospital, including his other teammate, freshman linebacker John Moore. They are in serious condition.
McNulty said he is in “just complete disbelief that this could happen.”
Those who played with Eubanks in Gurnee were left feeling that same heartache.
“It hurts to know because he was cool to me. I would always talk to him in gym class. He was a great guy,” said Sam Sellers, a senior at Warren Township High School.
Hundreds of students and others gathered last night outside the university’s football stadium to honor the crash victims.
“He was a great addition on and off the field. Just a great guy all around. It sucks that he’s not around anymore,” said Johnathan Niedospial, another senior at the high school.
The driver passed away in the crash, but authorities haven’t said which victim was behind the wheel.
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