Clemson defensive lineman Carlos Watkins was involved in a car crash Saturday night that claimed the life of a high school teammate.
On Monday, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said that Watkins was "very fortunate" that he wasn't seriously injured.
"It's very fortunate that Carlos is OK," Swinney said. "It was a very serious car wreck. There was a fatality, and it's a very tough situation for him."
Swinney said he spoke with Watkins Sunday morning and said "he's OK physically...But he was in the car, compressed in the chest area, for two hours. They kept him last night for observation. Again, he was very, very fortunate."
According to the Forest City Courier-Journal, 21 year-old Dache Gossett was pronounced dead at the scene. The car was driven by 19 year-old Tajae McMullens. Gossett was in the back seat.
Hill said the SUV was traveling west on Old Henrietta Road when McMullens was attempting to make a left turn onto Providence Road during the rain. When he made the left turn, he crossed the center line, left the side of the road, overturned, lost his tracking and hit a utility pole.When the vehicle overturned Gossett was ejected from the car.
Clemson played Thursday night against North Carolina State, and Watkins was home in Forest City for the weekend. A sophomore reserve, Watkins has five total tackles in three games this season.
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