College Football Player Dies in Car Crash

A college football player has died in a car crash, days before his team is scheduled to play in a bowl game.

Texas A&M senior offensive lineman Joseph Villavisencio died in a car accident, the university reported.

According to witnesses, Villavisencio swerved to avoid a buzzard in the road and moved into the path of an 18-wheeler about 40 miles outside of College Station. The accident occurred Thursday, when Villavisencio hit the 18-wheeler head-on.

Villavisencio had delivered gifts with the team to families at a College Station shelter earlier in Thursday after the team completed its last workout before the Meineke Car Care Bowl. When the deadly crash occurred, Villavisencio was traveling home to Jacksonville, Texas for Christmas.

The 22-year-old lineman lettered in three seasons for the Aggies. He only saw limited playing time for the team during his career, but The Associated Press reported that former coach Mike Sherman said Villavisencio was someone who would do anything for anybody.

Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne cited Villavisencio for his epitomized selfless service to the team and university.