CASSEL CRASH, from page 1 Cause of the crash is under investigation
PALISADES PARK — A former UCLA and NFL football player was killed here Friday morning after he slammed his sport utility vehicle into a tree, the impact of which was so fierce that fire-fighters had to use the Jaws of Life to remove him from the wreckage.
Santa Monica police said Marcus Cassel, a 2 3 - y e a r - o l d native of Carson, was reportedly driving his SUV at a high rate of speed west on Santa Monica Boulevard around 5:15 a.m. when he failed to negotiate a left turn onto Ocean Avenue, sending his car into Palisades Park, where he struck a large palm tree.
The vehicle rolled over onto itself following the impact, coming to rest against a cement lamp post just a few feet from the edge of the bluff, said Firefighters had to use tools to cut the back end of the roof off the car and remove Cassel, who was in critical condition. Once stabilized, Cassel was transported to UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, where he later died as a result of his injuries. No one else was in the vehicle at the time of the crash, police said.
SMPD detectives are still investigating the cause of the crash. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office is expected to receive Cassel’s body within the next 24 hours, at which time an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death, said Craig Harvey, a spokesperson for the coroner.
Cassel was recently released by the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, who signed the defensive back in May as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA. Cassel, who received a $1,000 signing bonus, was cut on Sept. 26, after being placed on injured reserve for an injury to his left hamstring, according to the team’s Web site.
Cassel played cornerback for UCLA from 2002 to 2005, after having sat out in 2001. As a starter for the Bruins in 2005, Cassel made 59 tackles. He also tied for the team lead with 10 passes broken up, helping lead UCLA to a 10-2 record, according to officials with the university. Cassel earned his degree in March.
“This is a tragic loss for Marcus’ family and our football program,” said UCLA head football coach Karl Dorrell, who was with his team in Arizona in preparation for today’s game against Arizona State. “No words can express the sorrow we feel at his passing. Marcus was a terrific young man who was one of the most well-liked players in our program. He had a great smile and a wonderful personality, and he combined them with a determination to be the best.”
Dorrell said Cassel was instrumental in the team’s success last season and was “still close”to many players on this year’s team.
“This news has been tough on them,” said Dorrell. “Our prayers are with Marcus and his family.”
Cassel played football at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, where he was remembered more for his bright personality and attention to academics than his athletic prowess.
“Good athletes are a dime a dozen, but a guy with that smile, that kind of heart and great sense of humor and intelligence only comes around every so often, and Marcus was one of those guys,” said Kiki Mendoza, coach at St. John’s, who helped Cassel earn a scholarship to UCLA when he convinced the then-reluctant senior to try out for college scouts.
“He was just such a wonderful person and you knew that you were lucky to have someone like him in your life,” Mendoza said.“It’s just sad. I feel for his family, his brother, his mother and father. No one should have to bury their child.”
SMPD detectives have asked anyone who witnessed the accident to contact Det. Chris Dawson at (310) 458-8954.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 18, 2006. Read the original PDF.