A former high school track star was killed in a multi-vehicle collision in New Jersey Monday evening, authorities said.
Mario Heslop, who ran track at Franklin High School, died in a crash involving three cars in Somerset County, NJ.com reported.
Heslop, 23, was driving eastbound along Hamilton Road in Franklin Township when he swerved over the center line and stuck another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction at about 5:30 p.m., the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office told the local outlet.
That vehicle was then hit by a third car that was also heading west, the office said.
Heslop was rushed to a local hospital but could not be saved. The driver of the second vehicle was also hospitalized while the third driver refused medical attention.
The trackie was named NJ.com boys track athlete of the year in both 2018 and 2019 and was considered one of the best high school sprinters in the state’s history, according to the publication.
Upon graduation, he continued his track career at North Carolina A&T University and later at OXY Athletics out of Georgia.
Mario Heslop, 23, died in the crash in Franklin Township Monday. Instagram
Heslop reportedly swerved into oncoming traffic when he crossed the center line on Hamilton Road. Life University
Heslop was a standout track star during his time at Franklin High School. Instagram
He was named boys’ track athlete of the year multiple times as a high schooler. InstagramIn April, Heslop took home first place in both the 100-meter and 200-meter races at the Kennesaw State University Invitational in Georgia, according to MileSplit.
Officials are continuing to investigate the crash.
