Overview
- The crash occurred late Saturday night, May 23, after Cooper had graduated from Thomas County Central High School and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
- The Florida Highway Patrol provided an initial sequence saying the sedan veered onto the shoulder, struck a culvert, became airborne, hit a utility pole and overturned.
- Two other occupants, identified as the driver and a front-seat passenger, survived and were taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
- Tulane Athletics, Cooper’s high school and coaches issued public tributes noting he was a three-star, 6-foot-3, 295-pound prospect who helped Thomas County Central to the 2025 Class 5A state title and was set to report to Tulane this week.
- Authorities have not announced a definitive cause, reporting remains inconsistent about the exact crash location, and further investigative findings and hospital updates are expected next.