Three men lost their lives in an accident on eastbound I-80 in Davis on Friday.
Two of the victims were 20-year-olds Darius Austin Powe-Reed and Zan Djavan Lockhart, both of whom played football for in Elk Grove. The third was Lavell Elmore, 30.
The three were traveling east near the Richards Boulevard exit when their . Witnesses say the truck overcorrected, swerving off road and crashing into a tree. The cab of the truck was crushed and all three were killed.
Share your memories of the three in the comments below.
Powe-Reed and Lockhart played varsity football at Pleasant Grove High in 2008 and 2009. The school's current team is holding a car wash Tuesday afternoon to raise funds for their memorial, according to head coach Joe Cattolico, who said he ran into Powe-Reed less than a week before his death.
“He was playing basketball at the park in our neighborhood,” said Cattolico. “It’s one of those deals where you have a 30 second conversation because you’re both in the middle of doing something. Hindsight being 20-20, you wish you had taken more time.”
Cattolico described Powe-Reed and Lockhart as best friends, both of whom were small by football standards, but made up for it with hard work and great attitudes.
“They were outstanding football players,” he said. “They were both kids with great, big personalities. They put a smile on the faces of everybody around them. That’s who they were as young people.”
Powe-Reed was a linebacker, and Lockhart played defensive back, as well as a bit of receiver.
The third victim in the rental truck was Lavell Elmore, who was ten years older than the other two. He was a member of the Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, which aims to provide community service, mentoring and academic tutoring to youth. The group’s goal is to “support endeavors that project positive images of black American men to help move us forward.”
Groove Phi Groove member Chris McDonald plans to drive up from Los Angeles to attend the memorial. He posted the following on the group’s Facebook page on Sunday:
I think all West Coast Groovers near and far should find a way to make a presence at the brother's funeral. I know he loved this organization and it's the least we can do. Once I get the information on when and where, I plan on driving up from the L.A. area. Any and all brothers that want to ride with me or have one long car pool, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Powe-Reed and Lockhart were members of the fellowship as well, according to about the accident.
CHP Officer Bryan Konvalin said that Powe-Reed was driving at the time of the accident. He was wearing a seatbelt, but the other two were not, according to Konvalin.
Specific details about memorial services have not yet been announced. We’ll update the story when that information becomes available.
The Pleasant Grove High School football team is holding a car wash at 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the high school. The money raised will go toward the memorials.
Did you know any of the victims? Do you have any memories you’d like to share? Feel free to do so below.
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