Police said that Jeff Gladney, a cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals, reportedly lost control of his vehicle when he was speeding and crashed in a horrific car accident in Dallas, Texas, resulting in the death of his girlfriend who was with him behind the wheel.
Police in Dallas County said that Gladney, 25, was driving a white Mercedes SUV when another car clipped him from behind at around 2:30 am on Monday morning, according to his girlfriend, Mercedes Andrea Palacio.
According to law enforcement, the two unknown individuals in the alternate vehicle did not sustain any significant harm. Gladney, who is survived by a two-year-old child from a prior partnership, and Palacios were fatally injured when the SUV subsequently collided with a column.
The images show the aftermath of the flipped car, mangled and upside down, beside the pillar, with pieces of littered SUV and tires struck everywhere.
The Minnesota Vikings allowed Gladney to go after being accused of intentionally and knowingly applying pressure to his ex-girlfriend’s neck and throat without information about whether or not he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time. No information has been given about whether Gladney was given any information about it.
The authorities in Dallas County and the relatives of Palacios verified that she was the lady who died alongside Gladney after the accident on Monday morning.
Gladney’s partner, just like other journalists in the past, recognized her in a photo posted on Instagram by Palacios. In the picture, Gladney can be seen affectionately holding her with his noticeable left arm tattoo of ‘Interstate 30’ and the unique NFL star representing Miami, taken during a recent vacation.
A video shared online by grieving family members shows Gladney, who is driving, riding in a car next to Palacios, if it is unclear whether the photo was taken in the evening of their deaths.
‘It’s just two great souls gone,’ Palacios’s brother, John Paul Figueroa, told Dallas’ NBC affiliate. ‘She was just a loving, selfless person.’.
Palacios was employed by Ride4Health, a software and transportation company, where she worked with her brother John Paul.
‘Yesterday morning, the Dallas, Texas Executive Service Location of Ride4Health experienced the unfortunate loss of a highly regarded staff member, cherished family member, and wonderful friend. In a statement on Facebook, the company expressed their condolences for Palacios. We deeply mourn the passing of one of our esteemed Ride4Health employees, and we share this news with immense sorrow and deep grief.’
She worked at Ride4Health under the direction of John Paul, who was her brother. She was 26 years old. Unfortunately, Palacios Mercedes passed away tragically in a vehicle accident near Dallas.
Please join us during this extremely challenging time to pray for Paul, John, and Mercedes. We extend our thoughts and prayers to Ride4Health, their family, and friends. We want to emphasize that Ride4Health is like a family to us all. We are here to support Paul, John, and each other. ❤
‘We are personally extending our love to John Paul and his entire family.
‘Thank you everyone for your care and concern and prayers of peace and healing.
‘May Mercedes rest in peace.’
Gladney and Palacios tragically lost their lives when the SUV lost its grip and collided with a freeway pier beam. The car accident that occurred on Monday was disclosed on Tuesday morning by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, which revealed that a white Mercedes SUV was traveling at a high speed when it grazed the back of another vehicle, offering additional details.
‘The collision included 2 automobiles,’ stated the police in a statement provided to DailyMail.Com.
The pier beam of the Woodall Rogers Freeway was hit and the white car lost its control. The second car was bumped from the rear and initial information suggests that the white vehicle was driving at a high speed.
The second car had two people inside and they were not hurt.
‘The WB Woodall Rogers Freeway service road at Allen Street was obstructed for the investigation of the accident.’
Authorities are anticipated to disclose additional information on Tuesday.
Gladney’s representative and the Cardinals both responded to his passing on Monday.
We are devastated to learn of Jeff Gladney’s passing. All of us who are mourning this tremendous loss are sending our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
‘We are requesting prayers for the family and privacy during this extremely challenging period,’ representative Brian Overstreet stated.
In its statement, the NFL referred to Gladney’s passing as a ‘heartbreaking tragedy.’