Mason Alexander, a mid-year freshman enrollee as a defensive back, was killed in a car accident in Fishers, Indiana Saturday night. He was 18 years old. 

Alexander was a passenger in a 2016 BMW driving south on Florida Road when the driver of the car tried to pass a southbound car before a hillcrest, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. The driver swerved to avoid a collision with a 2015 Toyota traveling north. The BMW traveled off the road and eventually hit a tree, catching on fire.

“I received a call this morning that no parent, teacher or coach ever wants to get—the news of the sudden loss of a young and promising life," Pat Narduzzi said in a statement. "Our entire program is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Mason Alexander’s passing. Mason had just enrolled at Pitt in January following his early graduation from Indiana’s Hamilton Southeastern High School. Even during that short time, he made a great impression on all of us. Mason was proud and excited to be a Panther, and we felt the same way about having him in our Pitt family. He will always be a Panther to us. The Alexander family and Mason’s many loved ones and friends will be in our prayers.”

Prior to committing to Pitt, Alexander was rated as one of the top overall high school prospects in the state of Indiana. He had 52 tackles and one interception during his senior season at Hamilton Southeastern.