Dylan Sebock, a Southeastern Oklahoma State University football player, has died after being involved in a rollover car accident that also resulted in the arrest of one of his teammates. He was 23.
The accident occurred at around 1 a.m. on Thursday, October 8, on US Highway 75, according to KXII News. Sebock and the driver, De’Taurean Johnson, were both ejected from the vehicle and Sebock, a rising senior for the Savage Storm, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police told KXII that Johnson, 23, attempted to flee the scene before being taken into custody. He was transported to a local hospital to treat his injuries and subsequently arrested. They also collected evidence leading them to believe Johnson was intoxicated while driving, contributing to Sebock’s death.
Johnson, a senior linebacker for Southeastern Oklahoma State, was charged with intoxication manslaughter and is being held in the Grayson County Jail in Texas.
“Southeastern Oklahoma State University is aware of a serious vehicle accident involving two of our students,” the university wrote in a statement via Facebook on Thursday. “We are deeply saddened to confirm that one student has died as a result of the accident. The other student was hospitalized. Our hearts are with their families, friends, teammates, and all those affected by this tragic loss.”
Sebock, a defensive end, was coming off a season in which he was named third-team all-conference, recording 32 total tackles.
Sebock’s aunt, Franki Sebock, has started a GoFundMe to pay for his funeral expenses as well as unexpected costs related to the tragedy.
“Anyone who knew Dylan knows that football was only one part of who he was,” the fundraiser reads. “Dylan was goofy. He could make you laugh when you didn’t want to laugh. He loved joking around, being silly, and bringing his personality into a room. Behind that big defensive end was someone’s baby boy, a family member, a teammate, a friend, and a young man who had his entire life ahead of him.”
The page continues, “On the football field, Dylan was #97. He worked, sacrificed, practiced, competed, and formed bonds with teammates and coaches that became much bigger than the game itself. We were so proud of the young man and athlete he had become.”
Franki also said Sebock’s death has created a “hole” that “can never be filled.”
“No parent should ever have to bury their child,” the GoFundMe says. “No family should have to receive the news that someone they love isn’t coming home because another person made the decision to drink and drive.”
