A three-car crash in Texas has claimed the life of 3-time Olympic track star, Deon Lendore.Â
The Texas Department of Public Safety stated that Lendore was driving westbound on FM 485 in Milam County on Monday when his 2015 Volkswagen Jetta crossed over the center line and sideswiped a vehicle coming the opposite direction. Lendore then drifted over the center line once more and crashed head-on into a 2018 Infiniti SUV. Â
According to Texas DPS, Lendore was pronounced dead at the scene and the 65-year-old woman in the Infiniti SUV was transported to a nearby hospital. The driver that was sideswiped did not suffer any injuries from the accident. Â
The Trinidadian track star competed in 3 Olympics; The 2020 Tokyo Games, the 4×400 meter at the 2012 games in London where he won the bronze medal, and the 2015 4×400 meter where he won silveR&Became a three-time world indoor bronze medalist.Â
Lendore is also a multi-time champion at Texas A&M where he volunteered as a coach for the 400 and 800-meter for student-athletes at the time of his death. Â
Many athletes and companies went to social media to express their sadness. 2x Olympian Gwen Berry wrote on Twitter “Wow… Rest in Power.” She also added “One thing I learned last year was the importance of Living. Do what you want. Deal with what you want. Love who you want. Don’t die just to Live. You live then you die. I’ve been happier ever since.”Â
PUMA released a statement saying “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Deon Lendore, who has been a part of the PUMA family since 2017. We are honored that he had chosen us to be by his side for a large part of his successful track & field career. Our thoughts are with his family. Rest in peace.”Â