Sports

University Football Player Killed In Hit-And-Run After Pushing His Girlfriend To Safety, Police Say

Intersection of Gallatin Pk and Marion Ave, where football player Chazan Page was struck by a vehicle, YouTube, Fox Nashville

Screnshot/YouTube/FoxNashville

Leena Nasir Entertainment Reporter
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Beloved football player Chazan Page was tragically killed by a hit-and-run driver after pushing his girlfriend, Jada Jernigan, out of the path of the speeding car on Sunday morning, police said.

The incident occurred at 1:30 a.m. on Gallatin Pike near Marion Avenue, in Nashville, Tennessee. Page and his girlfriend were reportedly crossing the street when a red sedan or small SUV allegedly entered the roadway at a high rate of speed, according to News Channel 5. Page managed to push his girlfriend out of harm’s way before being fatally struck by the driver, who allegedly fled the scene.

Metro Nashville police are currently seeking witnesses to aid in their investigation, as Page’s family mourns his loss. “Just come forward and help us put this case to rest,” Page’s mother Lawanda pleaded, according to News Channel 5.

Page was transported to TriStar Skyline Medical Center after the incident, where he later succumbed to his injuries, in spite of the best efforts of medical staff.

The Tennessee State University football player was a beloved young man who is being remembered for his heroic, selfless act.

The accident was confirmed by the university’s athletics department, which paid tribute to Page in a statement issued by TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen, according to WSMV 4 News.

“He helped bring out the best in others with his outstanding leadership on and off the field, positive attitude, and genuine care for the people around him,” Allen said.

“It is extremely difficult to lose a member of our athletics family, and we mourn the loss of Chazan,'” he said.

Allen also paid tribute to Page in a social media post shared to Twitter on Sunday.

“Chazan Page will be deeply missed by our Big Blue Family, as he was a phenomenal young man and leader who made everyone around him better. My thoughts and prayers are with our football student-athletes, coaches, families and friends,” he wrote.

UCLA’s Head Coach, Jamie Graham, also paid his respects to Page by writing, “Can’t even find the words 💔. Please pray for the Page Family. We will miss you Chazan 😔😭,” in a tweet issued Sunday afternoon.

Page played in 28 career games for TSU, and started all 11 games in the last two seasons. He had a bright future ahead of him prior to this tragic incident. (RELATED: Ex-Dallas Cowboy Tony Hutson Dies At 49)

Initial reports indicate the vehicle that allegedly struck Page was traveling north on Gallatin Pike at a high rate of speed, and would have sustained significant front-end damage, according to WSMV news.