Former Arizona Cardinals linebacker Edwin Jackson was one of two men killed by a suspected drunk driver while standing outside a vehicle on the side of I-70 in Indianapolis early Sunday morning.
Jackson played in the Cardinals' preseason games in 2015. He was later claimed by the Indianapolis Colts, where he played from 2015-17. He was 26 years old.
The Cardinals, along with former coach Bruce Arians and current and former Cards players, expressed sadness at the news on social media Sunday.
We are saddened to hear of Edwin Jackson’s passing. Our thoughts are with Edwin’s friends and family during this difficult time.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) February 4, 2018
Rest In Peace Edwin Jackson. Gone too soon. Fine young man!#poundcake pic.twitter.com/Ve1wNQSBUX
— Bruce Arians (@BruceArians) February 5, 2018
Wow.. We called him poundcake in AZ.. too young -prayers out to his family . R.I.P. https://t.co/tpCmeEoi3a
— Tony Jefferson (@_tonyjefferson) February 4, 2018
RIP PoundCake. #ForeverYoung
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) February 4, 2018
Sad to see you gone too soon bro @edALWAYZwin
Glad to met you bro #RIP🙏🏾— Josh Bynes (@bynestime56) February 4, 2018
Rest in Heaven my brother!! From the Short time we got to know each in AZ and then again last year playing against each other, you had contagious energy and a great heart bro. You will be missed! #GodWinS https://t.co/xs6oUg9YTn
— Rashad Johnson (@49foyamind49) February 4, 2018
Sad news man!!! Rest In Heaven Pound Cake 🙏🏿🙏🏿
— Markus Golden (@markusgolden) February 4, 2018
“We were heartbroken to hear the news of Edwin Jackson’s passing,” the Colts said in a statement. “Edwin was loved by all in the Colts organization. We admired his outgoing personality, competitive spirit and hard-working mentality. He was well-respected among all with whom he crossed paths, and he will be greatly missed in our locker room and throughout our entire organization.
"We also understand that another person lost his life in the accident, only adding to our sorrow on this day. We are shocked and saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of both men during this difficult time.”
Jackson played college football at Georgia Southern and was signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in May 2015. He was released in late August, before the Cardinals' regular season began.
Jackson played 16 games for the Colts in 2016 and started eight. He spent the entire 2017 season on injured reserve.
Indiana State Police troopers believe Jackson and 54-year-old ride share operator Jeffrey Monroe had pulled into the emergency lane on I-70 because Jackson became ill. Both men were outside the vehicle when a pickup truck swerved into the emergency lane and striking them and the vehicle.
The force of the crash threw one of the men into the middle of the road and a trooper coming up on the scene swerved to miss the crash, striking the body. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. It is unclear which man was hit by the trooper or if he was dead before the trooper hit him.
The suspected drunk driver, Alex Cabrera Gonsales, 37, ran from the scene but was arrested by police trying to escape up an exit ramp.
Police say Gonsales was also driving without a license.
