Both Driver and Auburn Football Player Very Drunk at Time of Fatal Crash

((ht: ajc.com))

If you want a class about the dangers of drinking heavily and driving, this might be a story to include in your classwork.

A former Auburn football player and another man died in a crash early in the morning of June 29th near LaGrange, Georgia.

The driver, Joseph Davis of Dunwoody, Ga and Philip Lutzenkirchen who was sitting in the backseat of the car and was the aforementioned football player...had blood alcohol levels well above the legal limit toxicology reports stated.

Davis registered a 0.17 and Lutzenkirchen a 0.377.

Mind you according to Georgia law, a 0.08 BAC is enough for you to be considered legally intoxicated.

Two other passengers in the car were injured, but not seriously.

It may never be known why the group decided to go for a drive that late at night after drinking, though there were some reports they were familiar with the area and thought they could get to where they need to be.

But they were drinking and rarely does something like that end well.

For those wondering, Lutzenkirchen was a highly successful Tight End prospect who played a big role in the success of Auburn's 2010 National Championship team. He was briefly on the roster of the St. Louis Rams.

He had graduated, and according to reports was trying to establish a coaching career.

Davis, a University of Georgia student had recently transferred to Athens with the hope of making the baseball team. He was not able to secure a roster spot.

This was a very unfortunate accident that took the life of two men far too early. And it could have been avoided.

Without trying to preach...we hope this will be a lesson, even if it's just for one person, as to why you should not have a lot to drink and then get behind the wheel of a 1-ton car. It almost never ends well...

Lutzie Remembered At Lassiter High

((HT: Auburn Athletics/Lassiter High School))

The Auburn and Lassiter families came out in force to remember former Trojans and Tigers tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen at his first alma mater last night just north of Atlanta.

The head coaches of Lutzie in Atlanta and Auburn, Chip Lindsey and Gus Malzahn, along with Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs, and former teammates and alums joined the Lutzenkirchen family to celebrate the life of someone who wanted to be remembered more for his activities off the field than on them.

Here's Malzahn speaking at the ceremony
((HT: al.com))


And some of Jacobs speech
((HT: Scott Forester))


And the video put together by the University that showed at the ceremony


Echoing the sentiments of Lutzie's father at the ceremony, the HQ would like to remind everyone to wear your seatbelts.

Lutzenkirchen Monday Update: Alcohol Suspected

((HT: OANow.com/Byington))

Sadly, this is not a surprise...

In the Byington article, Georgia state troopers are suspecting that alcohol is involved in the auto accident that killed former Auburn tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen and Georgia baseball player Ian Davis.

Blood samples were taken from those two and Troup County (GA) coroner Jeff Davis says that results could take a few weeks to be finalized. The other two passengers are suspected to have alcohol in their system at the time of the crash, but blood has not been drawn.

Our friends at WSFA-TV in Montgomery were at Toomer's Corner to see how the Auburn family was mourning
WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Visitation for Lutzenkirchen, his family, and friends will start at 10:30AM Thursday at the Transfiguration Catholic Church in Marietta, Ga. A funeral Mass will follow at 1PM.

According to the Auburn Football Twitter account, a memorial service will be held on Wednesday at 8PM at Lassiter High School's football stadium in Marietta. Supporters are being asked by the Lutzenkirchen family to wear orange and blue.

Monday AM Update: Lutzenkirchen Reaction From The Plains

((HT: WSFA-TV))

It's still very raw for the Plains reacting to the loss to star tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen.

The University is trying to figure out how to properly respect his legacy and make sure #43 won't be forgotten.
It was an act as simple as rolling the trees at Toomer's Corner out of respect in a somber tribute.
It was remembering him through social media, which lit up with praise for a better man than football player.

All this for someone who was 23
WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

More as we know more...

Auburn Speaks On Lutzenkirchen Tragedy

((HT: Auburn Tigers.com/Goldberg))

The Auburn family has spoken out publicly for the first time since it was released that former tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen was killed in a rollover crash early Sunday morning...

"I’m deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Philip Lutzenkirchen. He was a great young man who touched the lives of everyone he knew in a positive way," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "On the field, Philip was a great player and competitor, but more importantly, he was a great teammate and friend off the field. My thoughts and prayers are with Philip’s parents, Mike and Mary, and all of his family and friends who are grieving his passing. This is a sad day for the entire Auburn family. I find peace knowing that even though Philip was taken from us too soon, that he lived his life to the fullest, leaving a lifetime of great memories for his family and friends to cherish forever."

Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs:

"Philip’s death is a devastating tragedy for his family, the Auburn family and his countless friends. Today is also a profoundly sad day for the Auburn Athletics family, who loved and respected Philip not only as a great player but more importantly as a friend and the epitome of an Auburn man.

"I came to know Philip well and I admired everything about who he was and the way he lived his life. He had a strong faith, a big heart and a burning desire to help others. Philip was a bright light this world desperately needed, and his death leaves a void that can’t possibly be filled. My prayers, my thoughts and my heart go out to his wonderful parents, Mike and Mary, their entire family and his many grieving friends.”

Former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik:

"He was compassionate, determined, honorable and full of love, integrity and respect. In 27 years of coaching, I have come across what I would consider to be a few ‘rare’ young men. Phillip was certainly one of those ‘rare’ ones," Chizik said. "He truly, lived his life for other people and always found time to give to others. His family values taught him to be a great friend and teammate of everyone he came in contact with. My deepest sympathy is extended to his parents Mike and Mary, his sisters, and all of his extended family. We should all begin by honoring his life because he lived a life worthy of that. In his 23 short years, he has certainly left an impactful legacy to everyone he touched. I will miss him deeply."

BREAKING: Auburn's Lutzenkirchen, UGA Baseball's Davis Die In Car Accident (CONFIRMED w/Updates)

((HT: Auburn Undercover))

This is straight from them and there aren't may details at the moment"

Philip Lutzenkirchen, a member of the 2010 Auburn national championship team and one of the most popular players in recent Tigers history, died in an automobile accident early Sunday morning, AUC has learned.

He was 23.

At this time, no other details are known.

Lutzenkirchen was a graduate of Lassiter high School in suburban Atlanta and had Hutson Mason as his quarterback with the Trojans. He went to Auburn where he ws one of the most accomplished tight ends in recent decades.

His first flash with fame came in high school with this amazing play


And he was one of the most relied-upon receivers for Cam Newton in his time on the Plains
((HT: SEC on CBS))


More when we know more, but the HQ's thoughts and prayers to the families at Lassiter and Auburn...

UPDATE: The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer's Ryan Black can confirm the passing- having spoken with a state trooper who worked the scene.

The accident happened shortly after 3AM and Black caught up with Master Trooper B.N. Talley...

From Black's piece:

"It happened at the intersection of Upper Big Springs Road and Lower Big Springs Road," Talley said. "The vehicle was a 2006 Chevy Tahoe and the driver missed a stop sign at the intersection of those two roads, which is more or less a 'T-intersection.' They traveled through the intersection off into a churchyard. They were out out of control for about 450 feet."

At that point, Talley said, the vehicle overturned, ejecting all four passengers.

"Philip was one of them," Talley said," and he was killed at the scene."

Bulldawg Illustrated is also reporting that UGA baseball player, Ian Davis, has also passed away in the accident.

Black is also reporting in an update that Lutzenkirchen was not wearing a seat belt.