Jeff Gladney’s crash report is out and it shows he was ‘swerving’ and ‘flying’ down a road before the fatal accident. According to TMZ Sports, “authorities say Gladney was driving a 2019 Mercedes-Benz with his girlfriend, Mercedes Andrea Palacios, at around 2:20 AM on May 20 on the Woodall Rodgers Service Road in Dallas.”
There is more;
According to the docs, a witness told investigators Gladney sideswiped a Lexus while traveling at “a very high rate of speed.”
Investigators say Gladney then lost control of his ride, traveled into a nearby grassy area, and flipped into a bridge pillar. The collision, according to the report, caused the car to burst into flames.
In the docs, authorities say a witness on the scene filled out an affidavit claiming Gladney was both “swerving” and “flying” prior to colliding with the Lexus. The witness, investigators say, claimed Gladney caused the crash.
In the docs, investigators noted neither Gladney nor Palacios were wearing seatbelts. They listed “unsafe speed” and “faulty evasive action” as contributing factors in the accident.
Authorities also noted in the docs that responders arrived eight minutes after they were initially notified of the wreck.
Here is what Palacious’ family had to say about the crash.
The crash happened around 2:30 a.m. local time on the service road of the Woodall Rogers Freeway in Dallas, CBS Dallas/Fort Worth reports. According to reports, investigators believe one vehicle was speeding and clipped a second vehicle from behind. The speeding vehicle then lost control and hit a support beam.
Footage has since emerged showing both parties just living their best life and enjoying a night on the town mere hours before they would be gne forever.
Gladney played college ball for the TCU Horned Frogs, where he was named first-team All-Big 12 in his final year in 2019. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, but was released in August 2021 following an indictment on a domestic violence charge.
Once was acquitted in March of this year, he would be signed to the Cardinals.
“We are devastated to learn of Jeff Gladney’s passing,” The Cardinals said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his family, friends and all who are mourning this tremendous loss.”
The Vikings said in a statement, “Our hearts go out to his family and friends, as well as the Arizona Cardinals organization and Jeff’s current and former teammates and coaches who are mourning his life lost much too soon.”
TCU said it was “devastated,” adding that Gladney will be “missed by our entire community.”
Here is what Palacios’ family wants you to know about her.
“She was just a loving, selfless person,” Palacios’ brother, John Paul Figueroa, told NBC Dallas Fort-Worth. “Just outgoing. I know she loved Jeff because they were always together.”
Flip to the next page for more on the crash and Palacios.