NCAAF teams
Associated Press 9y

Colonels defensive lineman Joey Kraemer, 19, dies in car crash

College Football, Eastern Kentucky Colonels, Kentucky Wildcats

RICHMOND, Ky. -- Eastern Kentucky freshman defensive lineman Joey Kraemer died in a single-car accident over the weekend, school officials announced Monday. He was 19.

Kentucky State Police were notified around 8 a.m. Sunday of the crash on Tates Creek Road west of Richmond. A police statement said Kraemer died when his car went off the road and struck a tree. It did not say when the accident occurred.

Kentucky State Trooper Robert Purdy said there was no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved, but toxicology results are pending.

Kraemer redshirted last season at UTEP before transferring to EKU. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound native of Kettering, Ohio, was eligible but had not played for the Colonels (2-1), who face Kentucky (3-1) Saturday night.

EKU athletic director Steve Lochmueller said in a statement Monday that though Kraemer's time at EKU was short, "I'm sure the impact he made on his fellow students, teammates, coaches and professors will live on. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops expressed condolences to EKU and coach Dean Hood during his Monday news conference. Stoops said, "Hearing about that tragedy, it is sad for all of us. Our hearts go out to him, his family and the entire program."

Kentucky athletic spokesman Tony Neely said Kraemer will be honored during pregame activities.

^ Back to Top ^