The members of the Texas A&M University football team are mourning the loss of one of their own following a fatal accident that took place earlier this week. According to media reports, the truck accident took place on a Texas highway near the town of Normangee, about 40 miles from College Station.

When the accident occurred, the senior offensive lineman was on his way home to Jacksonville, Texas, to spend the holidays with his family. While traveling away from College Station, he reportedly swerved to avoid a buzzard in the road, and accidentally veered directly into the path of an 18-wheeler traveling the opposite direction. The vehicles collided head-on, causing the football player to suffer fatal injuries.

Prior to the accident, the 22-year-old had spent the day with his football team, first participating in the last team workout in preparation for an upcoming bowl game, and then delivering holiday gifts to low-income families at a local homeless shelter.

The college senior did not have much playing time during his A&M career, but teammates and coaches remember him as a valuable member of the football team. He was a three-year letterman who "epitomized selfless service" to helping the Aggies improve as a team, according to A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne.

It is unknown whether anything could have been done to avoid the fatal accident, but there are no reports of alcohol use or any other misconduct on the part of the truck driver, who is not believed to have suffered any injuries in the crash.

Source: Fox Sports, "Texas A&M lineman killed in car crash," Dec. 22, 2011