New Mexico safety killed in car accident

New Mexico safety Markel Byrd was killed in a single-car accident near Gallup, N.M., the school announced Wednesday.

Byrd was driving home for the holidays with his girlfriend on Tuesday when their car had a blowout on the highway. Both were ejected from the vehicle, and Byrd died instantly. His girlfriend was taken to a local hospital where she was listed in critical condition.

"This is an absolute tragedy. Markel Byrd was an outstanding person and student-athlete and we will miss him," New Mexico head coach Bob Davie said in the statement. "I was with the family late Tuesday night and obviously they are devastated. Our thoughts and prayers go to them. Markel will forever be a member of our family."

Byrd, a 20-year-old redshirt sophomore from San Diego, had 91 career tackles, four interceptions, four passes broken up, two tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble in two years with the Lobos. He tied for the team lead in interceptions this season with three. Byrd recorded three solo tackles in New Mexico's 45-37 loss to Arizona in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday.