Dec 23, 2015 11:20 AM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

A University of New Mexico football player died in a car accident Tuesday when he was driving home to San Diego, Calif. with his girlfriend for the Holiday break.

The school stated in a news release that Markel Byrd, a 20-year-old sophomore safety for the Lobos, "died instantly" in a single-car accident near Gallup, N.M. on the Interstate-40 highway.

While both Byrd and his girlfriend were ejected from the car, she survived the crash and was taken to a hospital, where she was in critical condition as of Wednesday morning, KRQE reported.

"This is an absolute tragedy. Markel Byrd was an outstanding person and student-athlete and we will miss him," UNM head football coach Bob Davie said in the release. "I was with the family late Tuesday night and obviously they are devastated. Our thoughts and prayers go to them. Markel will forever be a member of our family."

After redshirting his in 2013, Byrd stepped up as a defensive leader two seasons later. This year he tied for the team lead in interceptions with three and ranked eighth on the team in tackles with 44. In two seasons he recorded four interceptions and 91 tackles, but got his first career sack this year against New Mexico State.

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