Three teenagers, including Texas A&M defensive lineman Polo Manukainiu, die in a car crash Monday when their SUV travelling back to Texas from Salt Lake City, Utah drifted off the highway. The three victims were Manukainiu, 19, Gaius Vaenuku, 18, and Lolo Uhatafe, 13. Manukainiu and Uhatafe were thrown out of the vehicle and died at the scene. Vaenuku died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

Two others were rushed to a nearby hospital sustaining minor injuries.

A report by the Dallas Morning News quoted a statement from the State of New Mexico Department of Public Safety, explaining the details of the accident:

"Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears as if the vehicle was traveling southbound on US 550.  The driver, Siaosi Uhatafe (18) of Euless, Texas was traveling south and drifted off the road on the passenger side.  Mr. Uhatafe over corrected back to the right, causing the vehicle to lose control and roll several times... Two of the passengers were ejected from the vehicle, while the third stayed lodged in the vehicle." 

Manukainiu was a defensive lineman for Texas A&M. Vaenuku and Salesi Uhatafe, the vehicle's driver who survived, were preparing to play football for Utah this fall. All are graduates from Euless Trinity.

In the same report by the Dallas Morning News, Euless Trinity principal Mike Harris expressed his deep regret over the untimely death of Manukainiu and Vaenuku, "They were great, great kids-- great personalities. Not only were they physically bigger than life, but so were their personalities. They were loved and adored. They were kids you loved to send out as ambassadors for Trinity High School."

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin also shared his grief, "We lost a terrific young man. Polo was loved by his teammates and coaches. Anyone who came in contact with him was struck by his sense of humor and smile. My heart aches for his mom and family members."

According to the same Dallas Morning News report, alcohol was not involved in the accident. But according to police reports only the driver was wearing his seatbelt, while the three who died were not.