SJSU community heartbroken over loss of Camdan McWright, football player killed in school bus crash
The freshman football player was killed Friday morning after crashing into a school bus while riding a scooter.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Just hours before the San Jose State football team was set to board a plane to play New Mexico State on Saturday, the team suffered an unbelievable tragedy. A freshman San Jose State University football player was killed Friday morning after colliding into a school bus while riding an electric scooter, police said. The victim is confirmed to be 18-year-old Camdan McWright, a running back from Southern California.
"We lost an amazing young man tragically this morning," said SJSU football head coach Brent Brennan. "Camdan had a bright future ahead of him and everyone in this community that had the opportunity to spend time with him knew that. We are still trying to deal with the news of this tragedy, and appreciate everyone's support during these difficult times. Our thoughts and prayers are with the McWright family and I want them to know we are all here for them. Camdan will always be in our hearts and he will be profoundly missed."
The accident happened just blocks up the road from the football facility and about 30 minutes before a team meeting was set to begin.
SJPD said the bus was carrying 14 students, but no other injuries were reported.
Police told us witnesses saw the bus had a green light on S. 10th St. and appeared to be in the right of way turning onto Reed St. when McWright collided with it.
The crash location is two blocks away from the SJSU campus and remains under investigation.
The football team and staff learned of McWright's death during their meeting Friday morning. The team's scheduled game against New Mexico State for Saturday has been postponed to a "future date in the 2022 schedule," according to SJSU's director of athletics Jeff Konya.
ABC7 News there as the team buses left the facility after originally scheduled to take the team to the airport at 11:30 a.m.
SJSU released a statement Friday afternoon, saying that the school was cooperating with "the California Highway Patrol, SJSU University Police Department, SJSU Student Affairs and SJSU Athletics in the aftermath of this tragic accident."
Administrators and staff also expressed their condolences.
SJSU interim president Steve Perez fighting off emotions while speaking with the media on Friday.
"It's deeply, deeply, deeply felt on our campus," Perez said.
Perez also continued in a statement: "The loss of our student is heartbreaking and devastating for our San José State community. We grieve for Camdan, his family, friends, teammates, and the Spartan family. We grieve together and will provide all of the support that Camdan's family, our students and our football program require to help move through this tragic time."
"We are all crushed by the tragic loss of Camdan McWright," said SJSU Director of Athletics Jeff Konya. "The San Jose State community is a very close one, and the campus is devastated. We lost a very bright, talented young man too soon."
Counselors will be provided on campus to help students cope with the tragedy.
Saturday's scheduled SJSU game at New Mexico State is still pending, according to the university.
McWright was the third major loss in the past year for the Spartan program. Former running back DeJon Packer and longtime sports information director Lawrence Fan died in early 2022.
The school and athletics department says they will continue to stand together through tragedy - Spartan Strong.
"We are here to support each other," Perez said. "We're here to love each other. We're going to do what we need to do and whenever we need to do it to be able to support our students, our community and our student athletes."
A candlelight vigil to honor Camdan will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the scene of the accident.
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