COOPER CITY, FLA. (WSVN) - Miami-Dade Police Capt. Tyrone White, the father of New England Patriots running back James White, was killed in a violent crash in Cooper City, authorities said.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Sunday afternoon’s fiery rollover wreck also sent the victim’s wife and another person to the hospital.
Investigators said they received a call about the crash with injuries along the 11800 block of Griffin Road, at around 1 p.m.
BSO deputies arrived at the scene to find one of the vehicles involved overturned and the other on fire.
Deputies and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue crews provided assistance to the victims and put out the flames.
White was pronounced dead at the scene.
Paramedics airlifted his wife, Lisa White, as a trauma alert and transported the third victim, later identified as Daniel Chamberlain, to area hospitals in unknown condition.
According to a friend of Lisa White, she is listed in critical condition at Memorial Regional Hospital. Chamberlain, meanwhile, is expected to be OK.
About an hour before the Patriots’ game against the Seattle Seahawks, the team announced James White would be absent.
Deputies temporarily shut down part of Griffin Road while they investigated. Those lanes have since reopened traffic.
According to detectives, when White’s parents were making a left turn onto Southwest 118th Avenue, Chamberlain’s Subaru hit the passenger side of the car. The Whites’ car then slid, hit a curb, rolled over and landed on its roof.
Detectives said Chamberlain’s car hit a traffic control box and caught fire.
MDPD Director Alfredo Ramirez III took to Twitter to mourn White’s death. He wrote, “I’m extremely saddened after learning of the passing of MDPD Captain Tyrone White earlier today as a result of an off-duty traffic crash in Broward County. I offered his family my deepest condolences on behalf of his MDPD family. May he rest in eternal peace.”
Thank you for your service Capt. White. My sincere appreciation also goes out to @browardsheriff for your professionalism during this difficult time. @bsosherifftony
— Alfredo "Freddy" Ramirez III (@AFreddyRamirez) September 20, 2020
James’ teammates were visibly upset after the game.
“Sorry, it’s just a tough deal what he’s going through,” said Patriots running back Rex Burkhead. “We’ll just continue to pray for him and his family. They are such a Godly family. He’s a man of character, and it’s definitely tough seeing him hurt right now.”
“Of course our hearts go out to ’em,” said New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
“It’s hard for me to really put into words what he means to our team, and he means very, very much to our team,” said Patriots special teamer Matthew Slater.
Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, who previously coached for the Patriots, offered his support to White.
“I just want him to know he has our support,” he said. “We’re playing for his mom right now. His dad was truly a great, great man who did a lot for a lot of people.”
The crash remains under investigation.
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