The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

UA football player in crash, soldier dies

“University of Akron defensive lineman Amodeni Odofin was a passenger Saturday in a fatal one car accident Saturday in New York that killed Army Pvt. Philip Diaferio. Odofin, 19, suffered a broken leg and was listed in fair condition following the accident.”

University of Akron defensive lineman Amodeni Odofin was a passenger Saturday in a fatal one car accident Saturday in New York that killed Army Pvt. Philip Diaferio.

Odofin, 19, suffered a broken leg and was listed in fair condition following the accident. James Bronson, 20, was also a passenger in the car. Bronson was treated and released from a hospital in New York.

The car was reportedly traveling at a high speed.

Story continues below advertisement

According to the Broome County Sheriff’s report, the accident took place in Union, N.Y., at approximately 5:15 a.m. The vehicle Odofin was traveling in came upon a right curve in the road but failed to turn.

The vehicle reportedly appeared to skid before breaking through a guardrail and striking a tree, coming to rest down an embankment.

Diaferio, 20 of Endicott, N.Y, came home on leave from Iraq about a week before the accident, according to reports. He was scheduled to return to Iraq on Dec. 5.

Akron head football coach J.D. Brookhart said everyone is just happy Odofin is alive.

First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the young soldier, Philip Diaferio, Brookhart said in a press release. After talking with Deni’s mother, we are all just happy he is alive.

He should make a recovery. I do not know if or when he will be able to return to the football field. But that is not important. The important thing is, once again, that he is still with us.

Odofin played in UA’s loss to Central Michigan Friday, the day before the crash. He played in seven other games during the 2007 season as a true freshman.

Leave a Comment
Donate to The Buchtelite
$250
$500
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of The University of Akron. Your contribution will allow us to keep printing our magazine edition, purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to The Buchtelite
$250
$500
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (0)

All comments that are well-informed, civil and relevant to the story are welcome. To leave a comment, please provide your name and email address. The Editorial Board reserves to right to remove any comment that is submitted under false pretenses or includes personal attacks, libel, hate speech, profanity, spam or inaccurate/misleading information. All comments are screened and are generally approved unless they are found to be found in violation of these standards. Readers who notice comments that appear to violate these standards are encouraged to contact the Online Editor at [email protected].
All The Buchtelite Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *