Pitt CB Mason Alexander dies in car accident

Pittsburgh freshman cornerback Mason Alexander died on Saturday night after a car accident in his hometown of Fishers, Ind. He was 18.

Per the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Alexander was a passenger in a 2016 BMW. The driver of the car attempted to pass another car and swerved to avoid a collision with another vehicle, resulting in the BMW going off the road and hitting a tree. Alexander was pronounced dead at the scene.

Alexander, who was part of Pitt's recruiting class, was set to join the team at the start of spring practice this month.

"I received a call this morning that no parent, teacher or coach ever wants to get -- the news of the sudden loss of a young and promising life," Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi said in a statement. "Our entire program is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Mason Alexander's passing.

"Mason had just enrolled at Pitt in January following his early graduation from Indiana's Hamilton Southeastern High School. Even during that short time, he made a great impression on all of us. Mason was proud and excited to be a Panther, and we felt the same way about having him in our Pitt family. He will always be a Panther to us. The Alexander family and Mason's many loved ones and friends will be in our prayers."

--Field Level Media