A College of San Mateo football player was killed and two of his teammates were injured in a car crash near Vacaville, California, over the weekend of September 19-20, 2026. Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace, 19, a freshman defensive back who graduated from Vanden High School in Fairfield, died in the crash, according to the college. One of the two injured teammates remains hospitalized with serious injuries, while the other is recovering at home. The crash has devastated the Bulldogs football program and the wider Bay Area college football community.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, College of San Mateo confirmed Grace’s death and said he “lit up every room he walked into with his infectious energy and smile.” The exact circumstances of the crash, including the vehicles involved and any possible cause, had not been released by investigators as of Tuesday. A GoFundMe campaign organized to help cover funeral costs for Grace’s family had raised more than $17,000 toward a $28,000 goal, according to a separate report. Authorities have not said whether the crash led to any road closures, and the investigation remains active.
