College football player dies less than 2 weeks before first game as a freshman
By Keith Farner
Published:
Caleb VanHooser, a freshman defensive back at Indiana State, was among 3 people killed in a single-vehicle accident early Sunday near Terre Haute, Indiana, his high school football team announced on social media.
VanHooser played at Lakota East High School, which is about 30 miles from Cincinnati.
“It is with (a) heavy heart that we mourn the loss of Caleb VanHooser, former Hawk great, and Indiana State football player who was called home to Heaven early this morning,” Lakota East High School’s football team tweeted Sunday afternoon. “We will never forget his contributions to our program.”
It is with heavy heart that we mourn the loss of Caleb VanHooser, former Hawk great, and Indiana State football player who was called home to Heaven early this morning. We will never forget his contributions to our program. RIP#2. We love you. pic.twitter.com/cV5gh8ysJA
— Lakota East Football (@hawksfootball12) August 21, 2022
He was named a First-Team Cincinnati Enquirer Fall All-Star in January. He also ran track for Lakota East. He committed to play football at Indiana State on July 3, 2021.
A release from the university’s athletics department said 5 people were in the vehicle when it crashed, including several football players. The vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree. It was on fire when deputies arrived, according to investigators, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
