Ravens Tray Walker Passes Away After Dirt Bike Crash
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tray Walker has passed away after crashing his dirt bike in northwest Miami-Dade Thursday night, sources have confirmed.
His agent, Ron Butler, told the NFL's Ian Rapoport he was pronounced dead late Friday afternoon.
At 5 pm eastern time, Ravens cornerback Tray Walker was pronounced dead, according to his agent Ron Butler, following a motorcycle accident.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2016
Sadness and grief were on display outside Ryder Trauma Center Friday evening as Walker's family and friends prayed he would survive. He did not.
"It has been a sad day," said his sister Shaquita Hardy. "I love you, Tray. I'm gonna always love you. We are our sisters and brothers keepers."
Just before 8 p.m. on Thursday, Walker, 23, collided with a Ford Escape at the intersection of W. 21st Avenue and N.W. 75th Street.
The intersection, which is a four way stop, is just miles from Walker's old high school, Miami Northwestern.
The driver of the SUV remained on the scene and cooperated with police.
Investigators are looking into several factors that may have contributed to the accident.
"The dirt bike was traveling westbound on one of those dark streets. (Walker was) dressed in black with no lights, could be a contributing factor," said Miami-Dade Det. Dan Ferrin.
Police also said Walker was not wearing a helmet.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh tweeted that Walker "was a young man with a good and kind heart. He was humble and loved everything about being part of the Ravens' team."
Other members of the Ravens community sent out their condolences.
We are grieving the loss of a special young man. #RIPTrayWalker pic.twitter.com/FNcnd9eQjT
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 18, 2016
Devastating news about my teammate Tra Walker. RIP Tray. Wish I could of shared the field with u this year. We will make u proud!!!!!!
— Eric Weddle (@weddlesbeard) March 18, 2016
Lord take care of our brother. Amen #RIP #TrayWalker #RavensNation
— Crockett Gillmore (@CrockettG7) March 18, 2016
Walker's was a life cut short with dreams unfulfilled.
"He has so many dreams and her came too far, too far too, too, too, far and it all go down the drain," Hardy said.
One of Walker's teammates, safety Terence Brooks, released a statement tonight saying, "Football was (Walker's) escape. It hurts my heart that he's not getting the chance to show the world just what type of man and football player he was going to be."
Walker played high school football at Miami Northwestern before playing college ball at Texas Southern.
"He was an excellent athlete, which is why he's in the NFL," Samuel Spence said, who coached Walker at Northwestern.
Walker was drafted by the Ravens in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, recording two solo tackles on the season.
