Executive Summary
- Cori Clingman was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with all but three years suspended, for a triple fatal crash.
- The defendant was convicted of three counts of negligent homicide under the influence of alcohol.
- The July 2024 crash killed NFL player Khyree Jackson and his former teammates Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton, Jr.
- Investigators cited high speed and alcohol impairment as the primary causes of the collision on MD-4.
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. – Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson announced on Tuesday that 25-year-old Cori Clingman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, with all but three years suspended, following her conviction on three counts of negligent homicide under the influence of alcohol. The sentencing stems from a July 2024 crash that claimed the lives of Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson and two of his former teammates.
According to prosecutors, the fatal incident occurred when Clingman and the victims—identified as 24-year-old Khyree Jackson, 23-year-old Isaiah Hazel, and 24-year-old Anthony Lytton, Jr.—were traveling in separate vehicles on MD-4, also known as Pennsylvania Avenue. Investigators determined that Clingman was driving at high speeds while impaired by alcohol. Her reckless operation of the vehicle caused the collision that resulted in the deaths of all three men in the other car.
State’s Attorney Jackson emphasized the devastating impact of the incident during the announcement. "This case is a painful reminder of how one reckless decision can permanently alter countless lives," Jackson stated. "It was heartbreaking to hear Khyree, Isaiah, and Anthony’s parents speak of their children’s dreams being taken away; children they can no longer raise, guide, or protect."
The court’s decision to suspend a significant portion of the 15-year sentence means Clingman will serve three years of active incarceration. State’s Attorney Jackson noted that while the sentence holds the defendant accountable, it cannot undo the loss suffered by the victims’ families. She expressed hope that the outcome would serve as a deterrent against impaired and reckless driving in the community.
Judicial Ramifications and Public Safety
The sentencing of Cori Clingman underscores the judicial system’s balancing act between punitive measures and statutory guidelines in vehicular homicide cases involving impairment. While the 15-year sentence reflects the gravity of the triple fatality, the suspension of time down to three years of active incarceration aligns with specific sentencing parameters often seen in negligent homicide cases where a plea or specific judicial discretion is exercised. This case serves as a high-profile legal precedent in Prince George’s County, reinforcing the prosecutorial focus on holding impaired drivers criminally liable for fatalities, while also highlighting the devastating, irreversible consequences of driving under the influence on public roadways.
