ESPN: How Ex-Kentucky guard Clarke, 19, died after crash
Terrence Clarke, a freshman guard for the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team this past season, died following a car accident in the Los Angeles area on Thursday, it was announced.
Clarke was 19 years old.
Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. John Matassa, who works in the Valley Traffic Division, told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that Clarke was a solo occupant in a vehicle that ran a red light going “at a very high rate of speed” in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles at approximately 2:10 p.m. PT.
“The incident was captured on surveillance video. He collided with another vehicle that was preparing to make a left-hand turn.
He struck the vehicle, hit a street light pole and ultimately hit a block wall,” Matassa said. “He was transported to Northridge Hospital and was later pronounced deceased as a result of the collision.”
Matassa said the driver of the other vehicle, who was in a truck, did not claim any injuries.
Clarke was driving a 2021 Hyundai Genesis, and he was not wearing his seat belt properly, according to Matassa.
Terrence Clarke averaged 9.6 points in eight games for Kentucky this past season. Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
“I am absolutely gutted and sick tonight,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said in a statement. “A young person who we all love has just lost his life too soon, one with all of his dreams and hopes ahead of him.
Terrence Clarke was a beautiful kid, someone who owned the room with his personality, smile and joy. People gravitated to him, and to hear we have lost him is just hard for all of us to comprehend right now. We are all in shock.
“Terrence’s teammates and brothers loved him and are absolutely devastated. They know we are here for them for whatever they need.
“I am on my way to Los Angeles to be with his mother and his brother to help wherever I can. This will be a difficult period for all those who know and love Terrence, and I would ask that everyone take a moment tonight to say a prayer for Terrence and his family. May he rest in peace.”
Former Kentucky players in the NBA also expressed their emotions about Clarke’s death on social media.
Clarke announced last month that he was entering this year’s NBA draft and he had signed with Klutch Sports. The school said in a statement that Clarke was preparing for the draft.
“We are saddened and devastated by the tragic loss of Terrence Clarke,” Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul said in a statement. “Terrence was an incredible, hard-working young man.
He was excited for what was ahead of him and ready to fulfill his dreams. Our prayers go out to Terrence and his family, who ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
