Ja’Marion “Pop” Grace spent Saturday night doing what he had recently started building his life around: playing football for College of San Mateo. The 19-year-old Fairfield native suited up for the Bulldogs in their 45-16 win over Modesto Junior College. By early Sunday morning, he was dead after a car crash in San Jose.
The California Highway Patrol reported the crash at about 2:06 a.m. on northbound U.S. 101 near Yerba Buena Road. Investigators said a 2013 Ford Fusion lost control. Grace, who was riding in the vehicle, was ejected and died at the scene.
The driver, a 19-year-old man from San Mateo, was seriously hurt and taken to a hospital. CHP described the incident as a solo crash. Authorities have not publicly provided a complete explanation of what led to the vehicle losing control.
Grace was a freshman defensive back for the College of San Mateo Bulldogs. His football career at the college had only recently begun after he graduated from Vanden High School in Fairfield. He had already become part of a team that was 3-1 after Saturday night’s win.
The crash also injured two other CSM football players, according to college President Jennifer Taylor. One was still in the hospital with serious injuries, while the other was recovering at home. Their names have not been released by the college.
News of Grace’s death left the Bulldogs dealing with the loss of one of their own. The football program said Grace was not simply a teammate but a brother. His teammates remembered the energy, humor and kindness he brought to the group.
Taylor met with members of the football program Monday morning. She said she saw a strong sense of care and togetherness among the players, coaches and others at the college as they tried to cope with what had happened.
A GoFundMe campaign organized by Dominique Suber is now helping Grace’s family with funeral costs. The fundraiser has set a $28,000 goal. By Monday evening, it had collected $15,691.
The fundraiser describes Grace as a son, grandson, brother and friend. It says he brought love, laughter and warmth to the people around him and asks the community to stand with his family during the loss.
Grace’s death came just hours after he played in a college football game and helped his team secure another win. For his family and teammates, the sudden change from celebrating a victory to mourning a 19-year-old has made the loss especially difficult.
The fatal crash occurred in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California, near Yerba Buena Road on U.S. 101. Grace was from Fairfield, California, and attended College of San Mateo in San Mateo County. Authorities continue to examine the circumstances of the crash.
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