College Lacrosse Player, 19, Killed in Car Crash That Injured 4 Others

Tusculum University men’s lacrosse player Payton Cook has died after he was involved in a car accident that injured four other students on Friday, December 5. He was 19 years old.

The others’ injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to a statement that the university released via Facebook the night of the accident. Tennessee news station WJHL reports that as of Sunday, December 7, they had all been released from the hospital.

“We are grieved to share the news that one of our students, Payton Cook, passed away tonight in a car accident,” the statement read. “This is devastating news for all of us and, most importantly, for his personal family. Our hearts and prayers go out to all members of the Cook family.”

The accident occurred in the town of Tusculum, Tennessee when the Honda Pilot carrying the students veered off the road on a left-hand turn and struck a tree. Cook, was in the passenger’s sea at the time of the crash.

“We also know this is particularly difficult news for members of our men’s lacrosse team,” the university’s statement continued. “Payton was a freshman and a member of that team. We know they are grieving, and we grieve with them. He was a business administration major from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada.”

“We are praying for Payton’s family, his teammates and all other students, faculty and staff members, who are impacted by what happened. Our Office of Student Affairs and the Rev. E.J. Swatsell, our director of spiritual life and special projects, have mobilized to provide support to our students, faculty and staff.”

Tusculum held a memorial service for Cook at Pioneer Arena, home to the university’s basketball and volleyball teams, on Monday, December 8. One of Cook’s friends, Caleb Mimms, traveled to the memorial from nearby Emory & Henry University, where he plays lacrosse for the Pioneers’ rivals.

“It’s all a family,” Mimms told local news station WBIR of the lacrosse community.“I can’t imagine what the Tusculum men’s lacrosse program is going through right now.

In a statement to WBIR, Tusculum University president Scott Hummel said,“Payton’s passing has impacted his family immensely, and it has left a big hole in the hearts of everyone at Tusculum. Our desire is for this service to provide a measure of comfort to his family and to help our students, faculty and staff cope with this loss of life. Having the community join us for this service will be extremely meaningful.”

Tusculum held a moment of silence before its men’s basketball game on Saturday, December 6, and will hold another before its next women’s basketball home game on Wednesday, December 10.

Though the university announced that final exams would proceed as scheduled, Tusculum will make accommodations for students affected by the tragedy.

One of the injured students, Jordan York, was able to attend the memorial for Cook, who was also known by his nickname, Cookie.

“If you ever got the chance to talk to him, you are very lucky,” York said. “People like him don’t come around often, and knowing him was one of the greatest gifts of my life.”

“Cookie, if you’re listening, keep watching over us. I love you, bro,” York added.