Unfortunately, and as indicated by the headline, we have some very, very sad news to report this evening.
According to the Idaho Statesman, Rancho Verde High School football player and 2011 Boise State commit Emil Smith was killed this weekend in a head-on collision. The fiery crash occurred early Saturday morning and also claimed the life of the driver of the vehicle -- 22-year-old Dimitri Garcia -- in which Smith was riding.
A witness told police Garcia was speeding in a yellow Dodge Neon westbound on Domenigoni Parkway when he lost control of the car, veered off the roadway, spun across the median and into the path of the minivan, which had been traveling eastbound on Domenigoni.
“The driver of the minivan was unable to avoid the collision and crashed into the driver side of the Dodge,’' Waters said. ``Upon hitting the minivan, the Dodge caught on fire.’'
Witnesses pulled Smith out from the passenger side of the Dodge. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.
The 18-year-old linebacker verbally committed to the Broncos last month. The Statesman reports that, in addition to offers from Air Force and Duke, Smith had been talking to Pac-10 schools such as USC, Oregon State and Washington.
Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to Smith’s family and friends.